Coffee - Does it Dehydrate?

No.  A growing body of actual scientific studies says coffee = water when it comes to your hydration level.  If your NUT or Doc says otherwise, they are behind on their research reading...

Now a very recent paper:

One of the biggest findings has come out this year from a studyconducted by researchers at the University of Birmingham in the UK. Scientists studied 50 men who were regular coffee drinkers to compare the hydrating effects of coffee to water. Participants drank approximately 27 ounces of coffee each day for three days in a row. Next, they would drink about 27 ounces of water for 3 days in a row, and no coffee. "Scientists controlled for physical activity, food, other fluids, etc. They also tested a wide range of hydration factors including body weight, urine volume, blood values, kidney function, and total amount of water in the body. Researchers concluded that “coffee … provides similar hydrating qualities to water.”"

My husband subscribes to Muscle & Fitness and there was an article/blurb in the most recent copy stating coffee is a great pre-workout drink!  Who would've thunk?  I prefer to hydrate with water before/during a workout but still food for thought!

Well, beverage for thought, anyway ;)

in the cycling community, coffee seems to be the preferred pre-ride beverage.  And beer is the "recovery" beverage .... :)  In the old days of the Tour de France riders would descend on a town, during the race, hop off their bikes and grab beer and wine out of the nearest bar and ride off without paying... drinking away as they rode...  

... carbo loading as they rode away ;p.....

team doctors used to prescribe cigarettes too - "they open up the lungs"

Thanks for posting this! I get soooo tired of trying to explain this to people who insist that it is still true. It is truely amazing that so many in the medical community still hang onto this old myth.

lol..this post showed me that I can drink as much caffine as I want without dehydration, ride a bike jump off of it at the neighborhood bar steal a beer and some wine , make a get away back on my bike that is if I am not to drunk to ride, remember in between to drink pure water for 3 days , drink some more coffee before a workout and after.  and thank God for healthy kidney function everyday!!!

..hey Im Just Sayin.. CHEERS!

...OH MY I ALMOST FORGOT...Smoke a cigarette to open my LUNGS up after all that physical work!  Too funny!

I read about this awhile ago, and it made me soooo happy.  I only drink about two cups a day, but they are my treats :)