Coffee; it is one of the most popular beverages in the world.

Be it in the morning, during hi-tea or dinner, a major reason why people sip on this black nectar of bitterness is for its caffeine. Conceptually, caffeine helps you stay alert and keeps you awake hence a cup of coffee is always helpful when you want to get things done.

One cup of coffee may be enough for a person to put up an all nighter while some may need a few more more. And if you’re an avid drinker of coffee, you must have heard of the rumours coffee makes you dehydrated.

So it is true?

Though caffeine is mainly known for its effects on the brain, research has shown that it may have a diuretic effect on the kidneys—especially in high doses. And if you don’t know what diuretics are, don’t worry you are not alone.

Diuretics are substance that cause your body to make more urine than usual.

Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash

Hence, by encouraging urination, any sorts of compounds with diuretic properties—like coffee, may affect the hydration status of a person.

So it’s confirmed that coffee will definitely dehydrate you?

Well, though caffeine in coffee may have a diuretic effect, it’s unlikely to dehydrate you!

This is because for caffeine to have a significant diuretic effect, studies show that you need to consume more than 500mg per day—which equivalent to 5 cups of brewed coffee.

Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash

And another study further support this by finding out that moderate coffee intake is actually as hydrating as drinking water. 

So, even when coffee makes you urinate more, it shouldn’t dehydrate you.