Do tea and coffee dehydrate you?
Scientists dispute whether a caffeine addiction could be dehydrating.
Asked by: Lizzie Wray, Bournemouth
Health experts often warn of the need to keep hydrated, but some insist tea and coffee don’t increase hydration levels. That’s supposedly because they contain caffeine, which makes us urinate more. But while caffeine can have a diuretic effect, a 2016 study by a team from various UK universities showed the amounts in tea and coffee had negligible impact.
Subscribe to BBC Focus magazine for fascinating new Q&As every month and follow @sciencefocusQA on Twitter for your daily dose of fun science facts.
Subscription offer
Subscribe and try your first 3 issues for just £5. After your introductory period you will pay just £22.99 every 6 issues by Direct Debit. Receive every issue delivered direct to your door with FREE UK delivery.
