Is it true that caffeine leads to dehydration

Layfhaker clarifies whether to exclude from your diet coffee for those who care about the water balance.

diuretic effect

Diuretic (diuretic) - a tool that accelerates the formation of urine. It turns out, water or any drink in large quantities is a diuretic. Thus the formation of larger amounts of urine does not necessarily lead to dehydration.

Caffeine is a mild diuretic. Our body fairly quickly develop resistance to this substance - for 4-5 days, if eaten regularly. Interestingly, this fact is known to people for nearly a century.

Scientific research

In 1928 he conducted research on the impact of caffeine on the human bodyTolerance and cross-tolerance in the human subject to the diuretic effects of coffeine, theobromine and teophylline. It was attended by three volunteers that have more than two months did not use caffeine.

During the experiment, they were given a low dose of the substance. The result showed that the consumption of caffeine even 0.5 milligram per kilogram of body weight results in a marked increase in urine production.

However, at the use of caffeine for 4-5 days body becomes resistant to its diuretic action. To once again achieve the same effect, it is necessary to increase the dose of caffeine to 1 milligram per kilogram of body weight per day.

This suggests that regular caffeine consumption does not lead to chronic dehydration: the body gets used to it.

The sample was small, but the follow-up study in 2005 with modern methods of study only confirmed these results for the 1928 experimentFluid, electrolyte, and renal indices of hydration during 11 days of controlled coffeine consumption.

The study involved 59 healthy people of the state that should be for 11 days. During the experiment, the scientists wanted to determine whether caffeine intake leads to fluid loss or dehydration.

In the first six days of the experiment, each participant will receive the same dose of caffeine - 3 milligrams per kilogram of body weight per day (about two to three cups of coffee). After that, within five days of caffeine dose was changed: it was either zero or low (one cup) or secondary (two cups).

Scientists watched indicators such hydration is urine color and volume. The experiment showed that virtually none of the criteria is not dependent on the regular intake of caffeine.

hydration index

In the science of hydration of any drink is judged by the amount of fluid retained in the body depending on the amount that man drank.

For a description of the confining properties of different beverages was established hydration indexA randomized trial to assess the potential of different beverages to affect hydration status: development of a beverage hydration index. In it the values ​​for non-carbonated water adopted as a standard with which to compare the properties of different beverages.

It was found: popular caffeinated beverages such as coffee and tea, hold liquid like water or a sports drink.

It is important to remember that all drinks are making a specific contribution to the hydration of the body. Therefore, if a person decides to give up your favorite drinks because they contain caffeine, it will be difficult to replace them with others immediately. And that could lead to a reduction in the total fluid intake.

The relationship between low levels of hydration and poor healthHydration, morbidity, and mortality in vulnerable populationsEspecially in vulnerable groups, it can be traced very clearly. Dehydration can lead to mood swings, failures in the brain and heart, as well as being an indicator of the sad prognosis in elderly patientsHydration and outcome in older patients admitted to hospital (The HOOP prospective cohort study)Admitted to the hospital.

results

Caffeine is a mild diuretic and causes dehydration. If you aspire to maintain an optimal balance of fluids in the body, to worry about the consumption of caffeinated beverages is not necessary. They also contribute to hydration.