Abstract
The effect of drinking tea on hydration status and mood was studied in nine male and four female members of expeditions based at Mt. Everest base camp at an altitude of 5,345 m. Whilst exposed to altitude-cold diuresis, participants were subjected to a crossover experimental design comprising two 24-h dietary interventions. In the “tea” condition, hot brewed tea formed a major part of fluid intake, whereas in the “no-tea” condition tea was excluded from the diet. Subjects were prohibited in both cases from consuming other caffeinated beverages, caffeinated foods, and alcoholic drinks. Mean fluids ingested [mean (SE); tea=3,193 (259) ml versus no tea=3,108 (269) ml] and urine volume (tea=2,686 (276) ml versus no tea=2,625 (342) ml] were similar under both conditions. Statistical analysis found no difference in urine stimulated as a result of the tea intervention (P=0.81). Several markers of hydration status were also taken immediately pre and post each condition, including measures of urine specific gravity, urine electrolyte balance (K+, Na+), and urine colour. None of these measures indicated a difference in hydration status as a result of the dietary intervention in either the control or tea condition. A difference was, however, found in mood, with subjects reporting reduced fatigue when tea was included in the diet (P=0.005). The study shows therefore that even when drunk at high altitude where fluid balance is stressed, there is no evidence that tea acts as a diuretic when consumed through natural routes of ingestion by regular tea drinkers, but that it does have a positive effect on mood.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Armstrong LE (2000) Performing in extreme environments. Human Kinetics, Champaign, Ill.
Armstrong LE (2002) Caffeine, body fluid-electrolyte balance, and exercise performance. Int J Sports Nutr 12:189–206
Armstrong LE, Maresh CM, Castellani JW, Bergeron MF, Kenefick RW, LaGasse KE (1994) Urinary indices of hydration status. Int J Sports Nutr 4:265–279
Askew EW (1989) Nutrition for a cold environment. Phys Sports Med 17:77–89
Cadwell JE, Ahonen E, Nousianen U (1984) Differential effects of sauna-, diuretic-, and exercise-induced hypohydration. J Appl Physiol 21:670–674
Consalazio C, Matoush L, Johnson H, and Daws TA (1968) Protein and water balances of young adults during prolonged exposure to high altitude. Am J Clin Nutr 21:154–161
Craig FN, Cumming EG (1966) Dehydration and muscular work. J Appl Physiol 21:670–674
Denaro CPG, Brown CR, Jacob P, Berkowitz NL (1991) Effects of caffeine with repeated dosing. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 40:273–278
Eggleton G (1941) The diuretic action of alcohol in man. J Physiol (Lond) 101:172–191
Fagan D, Swift CG, Tiplady B (1988) Effects of caffeine on vigilance and other performance tests in normal subjects. J Psychopharmacol 2:19–25
Grandjean AC, Reimers KJ, Bannick KE, Haven MC (2000) The effect of caffeinated, non-caffeinated, caloric and non-caloric beverages on hydration. J Am Coll Nutr 19:591–600
Hackett PH, Oelz O (1992) The Lake Louise consensus on the definition and quantification of altitude illness. In: Sutton JR, Coates G, Houston CS (eds) Hypoxia and mountain medicine. Pergamon Press, London, pp 327–330
Hindmarch I, Quinlan PT, Moore KL, Parkin (1998) The effects of black tea and other beverages on aspects of cognition and psychomotor performance. Psychopharmacology 139:230–238
Houston ME, Marrin DA, Green HJ, Thompson JA (1981) The effect of rapid weight loss on physiological functions in wrestlers. Phys Sports Med 9:73–78
Lee DS (1999) The evening tea break ritual—a case study. Contemp Nurse 9:227–231
Lieberman HR, Wurtman RJ, Emde GG, Roberts C, Coviella ILG (1987) The effects of low doses of caffeine on human performance and mood. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 92:308–312
MAFF (1998) Updated food surveillance information sheet: caffeine in energy drinks and other caffeine-containing products. HMSO, London
Maughan R, Griffin J (2004) Caffeinated beverages and fluid balance: a review. J Hum Nutr Diet (in press)
McNair DM, Lorr N, Droppleman LF (1981) Manual for the profile of mood states. Education and Industrial Testing Service, San Diego
Neuhauser-Berthold BS, et al (1997) Coffee consumption and total body water homeostasis as measured by fluid balance and bioelectrical impedance analysis. Ann Nutr Metab 41:29–36
Passmore AP, Kondowe GB, Johnston GD (1987) Renal and cardiovascular effects of caffeine: a dose-response study. Clin Sci 72:749–756
Ormerod JK, Elliott TA, Scheett TP, VanHeest JL, Armstrong LE, Maresh CM (2003) Drinking behavior and perception of thirst in untrained women during 6 weeks of heat acclimation and outdoor training. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab 13:15–28
Quinlan P, Lane J, Aspinall L (1997) Effects of hot tea, coffee and water ingestion on physiological responses and mood: the role of caffeine, water and beverage type. Psychopharmacology 134:164–173
Robertson D, et al (1978) Effects of caffeine on plasma renin activity, catecholamines and blood pressure. N Engl J Med 298:181–186
Saltin B (1964) Aerobic work capacity and circulation at exercise in man with special reference to the effect of prolonged exercise and/or heat exposure. Acta Physiol Scand [Suppl] 230:1–52
Sawka MN, Pandolf KB (1990) Effects of body water loss on physiological function and exercise performance. In: Gisoli CV, Lamb DR (eds) Fluid homeostasis during exercise. Benchmark, Carmel, pp 1–38
Shirreffs SM (2000) Markers of hydration status. J Sports Med Phys Fitness 40:80–84
Shukitt-Hale B, Rauch TM, Foutch R (1990) Altitude symptomatology and mood states during a climb to 3,630 meters. Aviat Space Environ Med 61:225–228
Smith AP, Brockman P, Flynn R, Maben A, Thomas M (1993) Investigation of the effects of coffee on alertness and performance during the day and night. Neuropsychobiology 27:217–223
Steptoe A, Wardle J (1999) Mood and drinking: a naturalistic diary study of alcohol, coffee and tea. Psychopharmacology 141:315–321
Wiseman SA, Balentine D, Frei B (1997) Antioxidants in tea. Crit Rev Food Sci 37:705–718
Ziegler EE, Filer LJ (1996) Present knowledge in nutrition, 7th edn. ILSI Press, Washington
Acknowledgements
The authors wish to thank Matt Rowson, Alex Faupel, Caroline Booker, Joan Lane, Jacqui Coverly, Karen Lovett and Sian James from Unilever R&D Colworth; Todd Burleson, Gordon Janow, Willie Prittie, Vern Tejas, Jibhan Gimire and Bharat Karki from Alpine Ascents International; and the participants in the study for their efforts beyond the call of duty. The experiment completed for this research complies with the current laws of Nepal, where it was conducted.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Scott, D., Rycroft, J.A., Aspen, J. et al. The effect of drinking tea at high altitude on hydration status and mood. Eur J Appl Physiol 91, 493–498 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-003-1015-z
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-003-1015-z