Does coffee really dehydrate you, or is it just a popular misconception?
The idea that coffee dehydrates you is a common misconception, but it's not entirely accurate.
While coffee, being a caffeinated beverage, does have a mild diuretic effect, meaning it can make you urinate more frequently, the dehydration risk is minimal for most people.
Research has shown that the fluid you get from coffee more than offsets the diuretic effect. In other words, while coffee can lead to more frequent trips to the bathroom, the amount of liquid it provides still helps with hydration overall.
This is particularly true for regular coffee drinkers, whose bodies become accustomed to caffeine's diuretic properties.
However, if you're drinking excessive amounts of coffee—particularly if it's very strong or you're drinking it without much water—it might have a more noticeable diuretic effect.
But for the average person, drinking coffee in moderate amounts won’t lead to dehydration and can still contribute to your daily fluid intake.
So, no, coffee doesn’t really dehydrate you, and it’s generally safe to enjoy it as part of your hydration routine. Just be mindful of your overall caffeine consumption.