The Science Bit
Your body needs liquids to function well. Ideally, you should drink between 1.5 and 2.5 litres of fluids a day (6 to 8 glasses of liquids), to keep your body hydrated. If you do a lot of physical activity, increase your fluids.
What if I don't drink enough?
If you don't drink enough fluids, you become dehydrated which can leave you feeling tired, make you constipated and cause headaches.
How would I know if I'm dehydrated?
The best way is to check the colour of your urine. If it's a pale straw colour you are fine - any darker and it might be a good idea to drink more fluids.
Water
Water is the ideal beverage to drink. Bottled or sparkling water are good, but tap water is fine too. If you find it difficult to drink a lot of water, other beverages can contribute to your daily fluid intake.
Tea
Tea can significantly contribute towards your daily fluid intake. A recent report by the British Dietetic Association concluded that caffeinated beverages support hydration. Up to 300mg/day of caffeine (6 cups of tea) is considered moderate consumption.
