Tea - a diuretic to what extent?

[debbiem]

I've wondered about this for years and nobody seems to know the exact answer - tea is meant to be a diuretic so we should drink lots of water during the day a) as it's healthy to and b) even if you drink lots of tea the water in it is 'wee'd' out in a diuretic way and therefore not beneficial.
My question is this - I have a pint mug and use one teabag for all that water, so surely some of that water in that pint of tea must be beneficial? More beneficial than a normal mug or teacup? How much of water per teabag is a diuretic and how much is left over to be beneficial to the body? I don't drink lots of fresh water during the day but quite a lot of tea, which I am sure must have some benefit waterwise.
Anybody know this answer to this Meaning of Life?

[Sweetleaf]

debbiem said:

I've wondered about this for years and nobody seems to know the exact answer - tea is meant to be a diuretic so we should drink lots of water during the day a) as it's healthy to and b) even if you drink lots of tea the water in it is 'wee'd' out in a diuretic way and therefore not beneficial.
My question is this - I have a pint mug and use one teabag for all that water, so surely some of that water in that pint of tea must be beneficial? More beneficial than a normal mug or teacup? How much of water per teabag is a diuretic and how much is left over to be beneficial to the body? I don't drink lots of fresh water during the day but quite a lot of tea, which I am sure must have some benefit waterwise.
Anybody know this answer to this Meaning of Life?

I was told the same about coffee, by one healthcare provider and the opposite by another. One thing tea has going for it is that it is supposed to protect the bowel from cancer, though.

If you dilute your tea to that extent I would say that it balances out, most would use a T-bag for a small tea cup which is a quarter of the size. Your skin will show you clearly whether you are well hydrated as will your eyes, crepey skin is not the exclusive property of the aged.

[debbiem]

Thanks Sweetleaf and The witch. You know, they tell you these things but then leave out the bit about how to get round it don't they? :

I think judging by my skin I'm getting enough liquid - my skin's sometimes crappy but never crepey. ;D