Researchers claim they have found no evidence linking moderate coffee consumption to dehydration, according to a press release.
The findings were published in the journal PLOS ONE dismisses early research claims that caffeine can act as a mild diuretic, causing the increased production of union which causing you to lose fluids:
Fifty male participants were tested in two phases, where they were required to drink four mugs (200ml) of either black coffee or water per day for three days. In the second phase, those who had initially drunk coffee switched to water and vice versa. The two phases were separated by a ten day 'wash out' period. Females were excluded from the trial to control against possible fluctuations in fluid balance resulting from menstrual cycles.
"Despite a lack of scientific evidence, it is a common belief that coffee consumption can lead to dehydration and should be avoided, or reduced, in order to maintain a healthy fluid balance. Our research aimed to establish if regular coffee consumption, under normal living conditions, is detrimental to the drinker's hydration status," Sophie Killer, Doctoral researcher and lead author of the study, said in a statement.
According to the researchers, there was no "significant" difference found in the participants' hydration status within 24 hours. The statuses of each participant was calculated by measuring body mass and total body water, and analyzing blood and urine samples.
"We found that consumption of a moderate intake of coffee, four cups per day, in regular coffee drinking males, caused no significant differences across a wide range of hydration indicators compared to the consumption of equal amounts of water," said Sophie Killer. "We conclude that advice provided in the public health domain, regarding coffee and dehydration, should be updated to reflect these findings."
Click here to read more about the coffee study.
