An American nutritionist told what would happen if instead of water you drink only tea and coffee.
'12.03.2021'
Source: Business Insider
Fans of the theory of the need to drink as much water as possible are a little indulgent of those who prefer tea or coffee.
Moreover, adherents of "high-volume" water consumption usually argue that such drinks cause dehydration, and various mobile applications for calculating hydration do not even take into account tea and coffee in the daily fluid intake. But what if this is just a myth? To understand offers Business Insider.
The editors spoke with Dr. Eli Webster, Nutrition Specialist, Communications Director International Food Information Council Foundation, in order to find out what happens to your body if you only drink coffee or tea all day. And no water. What did the expert answer?
Rumors of dehydration are greatly exaggerated
Webster says that you will certainly get a lot of caffeine not only from coffee - from tea, too. When consumed in high doses, it has a diuretic effect. But this does not mean at all that your body will not receive water. In general, the hydration properties of tea and coffee outweigh their diuretic properties, so liquid will still enter your body. In addition, by gradually increasing your caffeine intake, you will develop resistance to it and the diuretic properties will decrease.
Where does dry mouth come from
Another reason that caffeinated beverages are usually associated with dehydration is due to the fact that some people experience a feeling of dry mouth after consuming them. But this, according to a specialist, is due to tannins, binders contained in beverages. They create a feeling of dryness, not related to the level of fluid in the body. Tannins are also found in dark chocolate and some fruits.
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Coffee can saturate with liquid just like water
Researchers at the School of Sports and Physical Sciences at the University of Birmingham compared the effects of coffee and water consumption on several dimensions. Each participant consumed either four 200 ml cups of coffee a day or the same amount of water. The data showed that there were no significant differences in terms of hydration, blood composition, urine, and fluid excretion. Experts have concluded that moderate consumption of coffee gives you as much water as ... water. But they clarify that no large-scale studies have been carried out. In addition, all the participants were absolutely healthy physically, so we should not abuse this news.
Important! Excess caffeine itself can have serious side effects - abdominal pain, heart palpitations, fever, nervousness and anxiety, insomnia, and muscle tremors. It is relatively safe for a healthy person to consume up to 400 mg of caffeine per day, which is about four cups of regular coffee or eight cups of black tea. Green tea has less caffeine, and herbal teas usually do not contain it. In any case, it is imperative to obtain liquid not only from tea and coffee, but also from other sources.
How much liquid is the norm
The expert recommends that women consume about 11 glasses of water (or 2.2 liters), and for men - 13 glasses, or 3 liters. But some, the specialist says, require more fluid, especially if they live in hot regions or lead a very active lifestyle. But you should not dramatically increase the amount of water you drink, it is best to do it gradually.
The easiest way to control hydration is to pay attention to the color of your urine. It should be light yellow, similar to the color of lemonade. Also, be mindful of the feeling of thirst. As a rule, if you are thirsty, then you are already slightly dehydrated. If you do not feel thirsty, and your urine color is correct, most likely everything is in order with water consumption.
The material is published for educational purposes and is not a recommendation. ForumDaily Woman is not responsible for any diagnosis made by the reader based on the materials of the site, as well as for the consequences of self-medication, and may not share the point of view of the author or expert.
