Coffee has long been considered a strange paradox: It’s the fluid that doesn’t hydrate you. Despite drinking more (and more and more), coffee allegedly throws off your fluid balance and can result in dehydration.
Or at least, that’s what they say. Some research suggests this may not be the case.
References
Killer, S.C., et al. (2014). No evidence of dehydration with moderate daily coffee intake: a counterbalanced cross-over study in a free-living population. PLoS One.
Maughan, R.J., et al. (2003). Caffeine ingestion and fluid balance: a review. Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics.
National Cancer Institute. (n.d.). Diuretic.
U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2021). Caffeine.
Why trust our experts?
Written by:
Lauren Smith, MALauren Smith, MA, has worked in health journalism since 2017. Before joining GoodRx, she was the senior health editor and writer for HealthiNation.
Reviewed by:
Karen Hovav, MD, FAAPKaren Hovav, MD, FAAP, has more than 15 years of experience as an attending pediatrician. She has worked in a large academic center in an urban city, a small community hospital, a private practice, and an urgent care clinic.
