Is Iced Tea Hydrating?
Iced tea can be a refreshing way to rehydrate on a hot summer day — as long as you choose brewed iced tea without any added sugar or other high-calorie additives.
Brewed, black, unsweetened iced tea has very few calories (2.4 kcal per 8 fluid ounces) and traces of minerals, such as sodium and magnesium. You can even dress it up with a sprig of mint and a spritz of lemon for an enticing alternative to water.
“Iced tea can work as a source of hydration, as the amount of caffeine is not excessive and you make tea with water,” says Lisa Andrews, MEd, RD, owner of Sound Bites Nutrition. In addition to providing hydration, iced tea offers some health benefits.
Black, green, and white tea (all from the Camellia sinensis plant) are high in plant compounds called polyphenols, according to a study published in July 2025. Research has looked into their protective effects against inflammation, cancer, and heart disease.
Does Sweet Tea Dehydrate You?
While unsweetened tea is hydrating, sweet tea could have the opposite effect.
“When you drink or eat something sugary, sugar travels from your stomach to your bloodstream, which raises your blood sugar,” says Andrews. “Water will move from cellular tissue to the bloodstream to help reduce blood sugar, which can lead to dehydration.”
That’s why you might feel thirsty after eating or drinking something sweet, including sweet tea.
Read the full article here
