Drinking Water or Tea

[RCA-CanadianForces]

Hello, This might sound like a funny question, But I'm curious to know if drinking tea is just as good as drinking water before and after workouts? I like to drink tea and I find the caffeine helps me go longer lol. I also drink it with milk and no sugar.

 

[IrishCanuck]

I suppose you could drink tea before and after a workout... as long as you are drinking a ton of water.

The problem with tea is that it contains a fair amount of caffeine.

The problem with caffiene is that it is a diuretic. This means it dehydrates you. This can lead to cramps, headaches, nausea etc ( A general decrease in performance)

So if you just drank tea, then did a heavy workout and only had a cup of water during the workout, I'd say your chances of performing poorly would be elevated.

 

[RCA-CanadianForces]

Thanks for the answer! ;D

 

[William Webb Ellis]

Interstingly, I remember reading or hearing something about a recent study that found moderate amounts of caffeine after a workout can help reduce DOMS

actually just found a quick link.....

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/01/17/health/webmd/main2368638.shtml

would be nice to read the complete study

 

[Bruce Monkhouse]

Irish Canuck is partially correct...............tea[caffiene] is a diuretic, however it does not CAUSE you to lose fluid, just that you don't retain as much.
My simple solution back "in the day :crybaby:" was just to drink lots more than I would have if it were just water.

Just to show I just got back from playing hockey and my breakfast was a muffin and two very large 'Petawawa 100th Anniversery mugs of tea, and I with the water I drank during the game I feel quite fine right now.

 

[Zertz]

Depending on if you can find it or not, Rooibos (South African Red Bush) tea is ridiculously low caffeine (Not sure if its zero or not) and has a lovely taste. Worth a try.

 

[navymich]

I've just recently started drinking tea and a friend of mine got me started on some great ones before I left Victoria.  Their herbal teas have no caffeine (I'm not enough of a tea guru yet to know if that is true for all herbal teas?) and they and some of the others, are amazing: http://www.silkroadtea.com/herbal_teas.htm

 

[Kat Stevens]

Regular old Tetley Tea has nowhere near the caffein of the Tim's double-double everyone guzzles down before PT.

 

[GO!!!]

Regular old Tetley Tea has nowhere near the caffein of the Tim's double-double everyone guzzles down before PT.

I find a cup or three of timmies and a few cigs on the way to work has me more than ready for a run (or crossfit, as we do these days).

 

[Deleted member 9665]

I started to drink about 3 liters per day of water...and I saw an immediate difference...

Water is everything! 

 

[niner domestic]

Here's some sites about tea:

http://www.tea.co.uk/

http://pages.ripco.net/~c4ha2na9/tea/faq.html

http://www.teadrinking.com/

http://www.osquaretea.com/itoolkit.asp?pg=products&grp=44

(usual disclaimers to double check with a health professional before embarking on a diet change and be wary of internet sources yada yada yada)