Coffee May Hydrate Almost As Well As Water

It’s commonly believed that the caffeine in coffee acts as a diuretic and causes dehydration. Now, however, a recent study has found that coffee hydrates almost as well as water when consumed in moderate amounts.

Participants in the study included 50 men who regularly drank 3-6 cups of coffee daily. They participated in two trials which lasted three consecutive days each. During that time, physical activity, food, and fluid intake were controlled and they were told to drink either 7 oz. of Nescafe Original coffee four times daily or water.

The researchers calculated total body water (TBW) at the onset and conclusion of the study periods. They also measured urinary and hematological hydration as well as nude body mass measurement (BM).

At the end of the study, the researchers found no differences in hydration between the coffee and water groups. There were also no differences in urinary volume or body measurement, indicating that no dehydration occurred.

Researchers from the University of Birmingham conducted the study. It was published on January 9, 2014, in PLOS One.

Previous studies have shown that coffee has a number of health benefits. These benefits are generally attributed to the powerful antioxidants found in coffee called polyphenols and include reducing the risk of developing diabetes, prostate cancer, cirrhosis and oral cavities.

One note to coffee drinkers: be careful how you take your coffee. A double latte with whipped cream and three sugars may provide the cognitive health benefits seen here, but the high fat and sugar content can have other negative effects.