Nutritionist Dr. Edwina Raj has confirmed that coffee rarely leads to dehydration, despite the popular belief that it has a diuretic effect.
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Raj explained that studies have shown that caffeine is mainly responsible for the diuretic effect, as it increases blood flow to the kidneys, which enhances glomerular filtration, which is the process by which fluid is filtered from the blood into the renal tubes to form urine. Caffeine also limits the reabsorption of water within these tubes.
She added that coffee may indeed increase fluid excretion slightly, but this does not usually lead to dehydration, because the water in coffee often makes up for the amount of fluid lost with the urine.
Raj pointed out that the real risk of dehydration arises when several factors are available, such as near-total reliance on coffee as a source of fluids throughout the day, exposure to high temperatures, and regular physical activity.
Some people are also more sensitive to caffeine, which can make dehydration symptoms appear faster.
According to the expert, the most prominent signs of dehydration include feeling thirsty, dry mouth, headache, dizziness, fatigue, in addition to a decrease in the amount of urine and an increase in its darker color.
Raj advised drinking coffee in moderation while making sure to drink enough water, noting that drinking a small glass of water after a cup of coffee is a healthy habit that helps maintain fluid balance in the body.
