Wednesday
Mar182009
Wed, March 18, 2009 | Lisa Barger Are Coffee, Tea & Sodas Really Dehydrating?
“Is it true that stuff like coffee and tea are really dehydrating? I almost never drink water so why aren’t I dehydrated? I drink at least 2 [sodas] a day?”
The truth is, “normal” amounts of coffee, tea and even colas and other sodas are NOT dehydrating to a healthy person. The idea that that we’re all walking around in a state of dehydration is a complete and utter myth. Drinking coffee, tea or a cola will result in a net gain of water—not a net loss—contrary to what you’ll read on some “natural” web sites.
One of the best studies on this myth was done in 2003 and involved researchers from the Centers for Human Nutrition at the University of Nebraska’s medical school. Researchers divided 27 men into two groups and put them on dietary plans that either contained only plain water to drink or contained no plain water at all. Over the course of 3 days, body weight and urine was tested. Ultimately, researchers found absolutely no difference.
And this isn’t the first study to find this, either. A study from the University of Washington—also published in 2003—found that even when consumed during exercise the caffeine in popular drinks has no effect on water loss and does not disrupt the body’s electrolyte balance.
I doubt any doctor, dietician or nutritionist will recommend we abandon water in favor of coffee, tea or colas. But the truth is, the only beverages that are scientifically proven to result in a net loss of water are those containing alcohol.
References:
Grandjean, A., et al. (2003). The Effect on Hydration of Two Diets, One with and One without Plain Water. Journal of the American College of Nutrition.
Paluska, S., (2003). Caffeine and Exercise. Current Sports Medicine Reports.
The truth is, “normal” amounts of coffee, tea and even colas and other sodas are NOT dehydrating to a healthy person. The idea that that we’re all walking around in a state of dehydration is a complete and utter myth. Drinking coffee, tea or a cola will result in a net gain of water—not a net loss—contrary to what you’ll read on some “natural” web sites.
One of the best studies on this myth was done in 2003 and involved researchers from the Centers for Human Nutrition at the University of Nebraska’s medical school. Researchers divided 27 men into two groups and put them on dietary plans that either contained only plain water to drink or contained no plain water at all. Over the course of 3 days, body weight and urine was tested. Ultimately, researchers found absolutely no difference.
And this isn’t the first study to find this, either. A study from the University of Washington—also published in 2003—found that even when consumed during exercise the caffeine in popular drinks has no effect on water loss and does not disrupt the body’s electrolyte balance.
I doubt any doctor, dietician or nutritionist will recommend we abandon water in favor of coffee, tea or colas. But the truth is, the only beverages that are scientifically proven to result in a net loss of water are those containing alcohol.
References:
Grandjean, A., et al. (2003). The Effect on Hydration of Two Diets, One with and One without Plain Water. Journal of the American College of Nutrition.
Paluska, S., (2003). Caffeine and Exercise. Current Sports Medicine Reports.
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