Keep Hydrated -- and Don't Worry About Caffeine!
Last summer, as temperatures rose to uncomfortable heights, George, an old friend, entered the coffee shop where I was enjoying a tall drink. After I signaled him to come over and join me at my table, I immediately noticed that he was evidently suffering from the heat. I suggested that, to cool off, he share a glass of iced-coffee that sat in a pitcher before me. George demurred, objecting that coffee, because it contained caffeine, would increase his discomfort by inducing dehydration, that is, it would cause his body to lose fluids. I explained to him the idea that caffeine causes dehydration is an Old Wives tale, pure and simple!
During the summer months we are often reminded to stay hydrated. Unfortunately, this well-intended counsel is frequently coupled with the warning that consumers should avoid caffeine because caffeine causes dehydration. As proven by Dr. T.E. Graham, a noted sports physiologist and a professor in the School of Human Biology and Nutritional Sciences at the University of Guelph in Ontario, and other top researchers, caffeine does not alter the fluid balance of the organs in the body and, therefore, absolutely cannot cause dehydration!
It's obvious that, as we are getting into the "dog days" of summer, with the temperature going up and problems with our air-conditioners occurring, it's more important than ever to stay hydrated. What is "hydration"? It's really just a fancy way of saying ingesting fluid or having a drink when you are thirsty. However, you might not realize that, in order to stay hydrated, you can enjoy drinks other than plain water. This is great news for overheated travelers, sports enthusiasts, and anyone who would enjoy a cold glass of iced coffee or iced tea or a cold caffeinated soda as the days start to get steamy. Feel free to relax and turn to caffeinated drinks as a way to improve your mood and increase your energy and to imbibe the fluid you need, especially on hot afternoons!
So, especially if you are working out or competing in sports, keep in mind that caffeine can boost your performance without causing you to lose fluids at all!
Here are a few creative suggestions for foods and beverages containing caffeine that you could happily consume as the heat builds. As we've already mentioned, iced-coffee, iced tea, and colas and other caffeinated sodas are a good choice. Therefore, when you are walking around town on a broiling day and pass a coffee shop, consider going in and treating yourself to a tall, cold drink. Another tasteful idea is to brew your own tea at home, keep the tea in a large pitcher in the refrigerator, and enjoy it whenever you feel you would like to have a drink. Still another idea that combines the benefits of caffeine with the benefits of increasing your moisture intake is to choose a serving of coffee ice-cream or dark-chocolate ice-cream. And a really different treat that I enjoy and recommend that you try is to sprinkle espresso beans on vanilla ice-cream.
By the way, if you're planning a flight to cooler climes, remember that the atmosphere in an airplane is often very dry. So, as you settle back into your seat, consider flagging down the flight attendant and ordering a caffeinated drink to help you get your trip started with a lift!
Bennett Alan Weinberg, Esq., co-author with Bonnie K. Bealer of the two leading books on caffeine The World of Caffeine and The Caffeine Advantage, presents the latest scientific and cultural information about caffeine through his web site WorldofCaffeine.com. His work has promoted an accurate understanding of caffeine and has taught people about the many ways caffeine can be used to improve their lives. In addition to being an author and caffeine expert, he works as a consultant for pharmaceutical and food and beverage companies including The Coca-Cola Company.
