The Myth of Coffee and Tea as Diuretics

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Contrary to popular belief, coffee and tea are not dehydrating or diuretic. Research has shown that caffeine in these drinks does not have a diuretic effect, but rather, it triggers a volume response. This means that when people drink coffee or tea, especially in the morning before having anything else to eat or drink, it can actually contribute to their fluid intake. However, it is important not to overconsume coffee and tea. In terms of drinks that can be counterintuitive for hydration, alcohol and high-sugar beverages should be considered.

Episode #259. Have you ever put much thought into your hydration? If you think that drinking two litres of plain water a day meets your hydration needs, then this conversation is for you. In this episode, I’m joined by Dr Stacy Sims to explore the science behind optimal hydration and its impact on performance.

You’ll learn how to determine proper hydration, the role of electrolytes and glucose, and which commonly held beliefs about hydration are myths. Dr Sims shares her research findings and provides practical tips to improve your hydration for better performance and overall well-being.

Specifically, we discuss:

Intro (00:00)
Dr. Stacy Sims on hydration (1:25)
Nuances of hydration (3:35)
Electrolytes (7:02)
The problem with plain water (12:02)
How much sodium do you need in a hot or cold environment? (15:00)
Sodium and fluid intake during exercise (16:31)
Dehydration and its effects on performance (20:07)
Importance of slow and steady hydration (22:22)
Distilled water and hydration (23:38)
Is adding salt healthy? (24:59)
How to tell if you're dehydrated (25:52)
How much water should you drink a day? (27:47)
Coconut water for hydration? (28:22)
Why do electrolyte supplements have potassium, magnesium, and sodium? (30:25)
Carbohydrates and hydration (31:49)
Carbohydrate intake during endurance performance (36:52)
Hydration on low carb diets (38:36)
Fluid balance requirement for men and women (40:44)
The urine specific gravity test (44:53)
Sauna for men and women (46:51)
Are coffee and tea dehydrating? (48:00)
More hydration myths (50:03)
Hydration before an endurance event (51:00)
Creatine (52:08)
Frequent urination at night (54:30)
Dehydration among athletes (56:40)
Outro (58:45)

To connect with Dr Stacy Sims, you can find her on Instagram and Facebook. Visit her website, https://www.drstacysims.com, to learn more about Dr Sims and find resources to improve your performance.

Enjoy, friends.

Simon

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Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons)

Creator of theproof.com and host of The Proof with Simon Hill

Author of The Proof is in the Plants

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