Hello,

I would like to ask whether beverages such as coffee, black tea, and broths should be included in the hydration regimen. There are varying opinions on this matter, so I would like to know your perspective. Personally, I would include them, even though coffee and tea have mild diuretic effects. I know people who barely drink water, only coffee and tea.

Thank you.

In the hydration regimen, fluids that serve the purpose of hydrating the body are typically included. However, this definition is not entirely straightforward, as, for example, coffee or tea contain substances with diuretic effects, which do not align with the concept of complete hydration. The issue with these beverages is that they do not have a diuretic effect on everyone, and their diuretic impact is highly individual. In such situations, it is naturally challenging to generalize, but these drinks are generally included in the hydration regimen (a similar issue arises with beverages containing alcohol). Broths are also usually considered part of the hydration regimen, but they are burdened by the factor of osmolality—if their "density" (i.e., nutrient content) is too high, they are categorized as food, not a fluid intended for hydration.

Themes:  Fluid intake regimen   Coffee   Black tea