Friday, March 8, 2013

Hot Tea or Cold Water?

While I am at work, I am constantly cold.  I often wear two layers to work - a long sleeve and a sweater but still end up being cold (even in the summer). On most days, by mid morning I usually put on another fleece jacket I keep at my desk just to stay warm.

After weeks and weeks of this, I figured out that drinking super cold water was not helping to keep me warm. Every time I started to feel cold, I began to fill my water bottle with hot water from the cafeteria instead of cold and popped a tea bag into my bottle.


It worked like a charm and suddenly I wasn't always freezing at my desk daily.  But it made me start thinking, was drinking tea just as good as drinking water?

After doing some super quick research (thanks google) I found a little study that said that drinking tea was actually better than drinking water.

Drinking water is replacing fluid in the body and drinking tea is replacing fluid and contains antioxidants. Seems like a pretty good deal and I think adding in a few cups of tea a day isn't a bad idea.  Plus adding in a few cups of tea can help by reducing your risk of heart attack along with a few other benefits.

I still drink my coffee in the morning with breakfast but I think adding in a few cups of tea can't hurt.

What do you think? Hot Tea or Cold Water??

13 comments:

Logan said...

I am always cold at my office, too!! I've been drinking tea to stay warm, but I drink mostly black tea, so I think it probably has less great effects for me and aligns closer to drinking coffee.

Elizabeth said...

Interesting post, and I have often wondered the same thing about tea being hydrating. I cannot stand to drink cold water at the office, so I just mix the hot and cold water to get warm water.

Unknown said...

I am totally a tea drinker ( I am really bad about hydrating, so anything with flavor is better for me). I love 'Mighty leaf' Brand "green tea tropical", I always have some with me wherever I go! Makes staying hydrated a lot tastier and easier, and the added anti-oxidants and such make it a win-win.

RunningJunkie said...

I am ALWAYS cold at my desk. I have a space heater under it that I keep going all the time.

I actually just got some tea this week because I have a head cold and needed some hot beverages but I already drink too much coffee. I'm really not a huge fan but it's not terrible.

misszippy said...

Even though I work from home and can control the temp in my house, I am perpetually freezing. And I drink tons of water, which I'm sure doesn't help. I do dive into a cup of tea a couple of times/day just to warm up. All of this could be remedied, of course, by moving to a warm climate! ; )

The Many Thoughts of a Reader said...

It really depends on my mood but when I'm working I need something cold. I'm constantly talking and hot tea just doesn't work for me while teaching.

Unknown said...

I know while I'm training, water consumption during my work days has to happen. There's no tip but guzzling helps get through the glasses :-)~ . I find warm water easier to get down and quicker.
Hot tea comes as an energy boost around the 3pm hour to help with the rest of my night.

Lauren @ Sassy Molassy said...

I drink a cup or so of tea most days at work. Definitely helps to keep me warm and is relaxing.

Christy @ My Dirt Road Anthem: A Runner's Blog said...

I am a huge tea fan, but I drink all herbal, green or white teas. For some reason black caffienated tea makes me really nauseated, although iced tea is fine.

Laura said...

I'm a tea/decaf coffee drinker at work too, because like you, I am always cold. However, one thing to watch out for is that drinking a lot of black tea can stain your teeth! I'm trying to switch to green tea to minimize the effects.

Amy said...

I always start my day with coffee, but I like a warm cup of tea in the afternoon. Always wondered about the hydration thing too. I do drink water, but always at room temperature and never with ice. BRRR!

Anonymous said...

I always drink a cup of coffee in the morning but then around mid morning I get cold. I started to drink tea and even though I'm not a big tea person, I kind of like it now!

Unknown said...

I make Tazo Zen Tea in my Keurig machine.
It is very good, typically I cannot stand the taste of green tea, but this is very good.
Art