Caffeine (cont.)
Is caffeine a diuretic?
Caffeine has been considered a diuretic by experts
and consumers for years. Some people believe that drinking caffeinated beverages
will cause them to lose fluids so they can't be counted as part of their daily
intake. Others say that caffeinated beverages do not increase fluid losses. The
best way to flush out the truth is to examine the research.
Each day our body has a need for water. We lose water through respiration,
skin, renal, and gastrointestinal tract losses. Our intake of water comes from
liquids and foods. We need to maintain an adequate water balance for our bodies
to function properly. Factors such as age, activity level, health, diet, and
environment can affect our water balance.
Some research has shown that caffeine intake can also affect our fluid
balance. In one study, 12 caffeine consumers were told to abstain from caffeine
for five days and were then given 642 mg of caffeine in the form of coffee. Their
urine output increased when given the caffeine. Another study done on eight men
tested the effect of 45, 90, 180, or 360 mg of caffeine on urine volume. An
increase in urine volume was seen only at the 360-mg dose of caffeine. One
limitation to these studies is that they did not evaluate the impact of caffeine
when consumed on a regular basis. A onetime dose may affect the body
differently than daily consumption.
Back in 1928, caffeine was shown to have no significant impact on urinary
output. Subsequent studies have shown that caffeine-containing beverages did not
impact urinary output any differently than other beverages. Based on this, the
Institute of Medicine recommends that "unless additional evidence becomes
available indicating cumulative total water deficits in individuals with
habitual intakes of significant amounts of caffeine, caffeinated beverages
appear to contribute to the daily total water intake similar to that contributed
by noncaffeinated beverages."
This doesn't mean that caffeine does not increase your need to urinate. Your
reaction can depend on the amount that you consume, the type of product, and
your tolerance level. If you have urinary incontinence, you may experience a
greater "urgency" to urinate after consuming a caffeinated beverage. You will
need to monitor your reaction and tolerance to caffeine to determine how you are
affected. Water is still the recommended choice for optimal hydration, so be sure
to include it as part of your daily fluid consumption.
Next: Does caffeine cause heart disease? »
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