Ah, that timeless morning tradition, coffee. If you’re like 64% of Americans, then you consume at least one cup of coffee every day. Globally, coffee is a 100-billion-dollar industry and has been a cross-cultural dietary staple for hundreds of years. Many coffee blends and their caffeine content produce that wide-awake perky energy boost we all know and love, some folks find that after drinking coffee they feel dehydrated. But is this true?
Coffee Does Not Dehydrate You
Coffee is made up of 95% water, and it is not more or less hydrating than its water equivalent.i However, the caffeine in coffee is a diuretic, a type of chemical that promotes the production of urine by helping your kidneys draw out extra salt and water.i You might think that more frequent pitstops would cause the body to lose more fluids, thus making coffee dehydrating. But studies show this is just not the case.ii
Why Do People Believe that Coffee Is Dehydrating?
This is because caffeine also increases thirst, and thirst is one of the main ways that people gauge their hydration. Tracking the color of your urine is much more effective at helping you understand your hydration levels. Learn more about how to monitor your hydration status.
Caffeine Consumption and Health Considerations
There are some other factors to consider when planning your caffeine intake for the day. Symptoms of excess caffeine consumption include dizziness, irregular heart rate, headaches, and more.iii Coincidentally, these are also some of the symptoms of dehydration.i
It’s possible that because of this correlation, people consuming an excess of caffeine have wrongly assumed that the unpleasant side effects are a result of dehydration. Ultimately, the amount of water your body needs varies by factors such as your age, body size, and activity level.iii Whether you’re actively training to meet your fitness goals, or looking to get moving throughout the day, keep an eye on your urine color (aiming for that perfect lemonade yellow color that indicates ideal hydration) and supplement with water or Nuun to quench thirst and boost your regular hydration as needed.
Looking for more info about coffee and hydration? Take a look at this article about the Role of Caffeine in Athletic Performance!
