Optimal Health Daily - Fitness and Nutrition 3276: How Does Caffeine Affect Hydration and Do Tea and Coffee Increase the Risk of Dehydration on Caffeine & Hydration
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Jan 30, 2026 A myth-busting chat about whether coffee and tea dehydrate you, using research and meta-analyses. Discussion of hydration guidelines for older adults and how habitual caffeinated drinkers adapt. Brief look at potential protective links between unsweetened coffee or tea and chronic disease. Practical limits for caffeine and when water might still be preferable.
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Care Worker Asks About Seniors And Caffeine
- William describes working with seniors who request tea and coffee while dehydration is a summer problem.
- He asks if caffeine's hydration effect is strong enough to avoid serving these drinks.
Include Tea And Coffee In Fluid Totals
- Count coffee and tea toward total daily fluid intake as recommended by the National Academy of Medicine.
- Prefer plain water but do not avoid caffeinated beverages for hydration in most older adults.
Caffeine's Diuretic Effect Is Mild
- Coffee and tea cause only a mild diuretic effect while the body still absorbs most of the liquid.
- Regular consumers develop tolerance, making dehydration less likely with habitual intake.