Drinking tea is just as good as water when it comes to keeping the body hydrated, an important new clinical study commissioned by the Tea Advisory Panel (TAP), has found. Four mugs of tea a day were found to be just as hydrating as water -- with no negative effects.

It's a common misconception that drinking caffeinated drinks, such as tea, coffee or cola, can dehydrate the body, depriving it of vital water necessary for good mental and physical health. It is thought that caffeine in drinks increases the frequency of urination, causing the body to lose too much water. While studies on caffeine pills have produced inconsistent results due to differences in caffeine levels, the small amount of research on caffeinated drinks has found no significant impact on hydration levels.

In this video various experts from TAP talk about the study.