“A coffee cup with a little cream makes your morning sweet and your day pleasant.”
Everyone wants a piping hot coffee cup to jump-start their day but what about decaf coffee? Is decaf or regular coffee a diuretic? If these questions are popping into your mind, you are at the right place.
This article will help you to know amazing facts about decaf coffee, its effects and benefits on your body, the myth that decaf coffee is a diuretic, and much more.
So keep scrolling down and solve your queries!
Contents
What is a diuretic?
Diuretic is also called a water pill. It is a medication specially designed to get rid of the body’s excess salt and water through increased urination. Diuretics prompt your kidneys to increase the amount of urine and decrease the body’s fluid and swelling. The excess fluid makes breathing hard and causes complications for the heart to function properly, so diuretics address these conditions.
Besides medications, some foods and drinks we consume daily also act as natural diuretics such as:
- Coffee — 95-200 mg caffeine per 8 oz cup
- Chocolate — 24 mg caffeine per oz
- Tea — 26 mg caffeine per 8 oz cup
- Energy drinks — 91 mg caffeine per 8 oz
- Soda — 49 mg caffeine per 16 oz
- Chocolate cake with frosting — 8 mg caffeine per slice
They are mild diuretics and their effects depend on overall caffeine consumption from any source.
Benefits of diuretics
The benefits of diuretics include:
- Excretion of excess sodium and water.
- Treatment of high blood pressure.
- They reduce the risk of cardiovascular, liver, kidney diseases and tissue swelling.
- Removal of harmful toxins from the body.
- Help in acne and weight loss.
Side effects of diuretics
Besides advantages, diuretics also cause the following side effects such as they cause:
- Dehydration
- Electrolyte imbalance
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Impotence
- Muscles cramp
- Joints disorder
Is regular coffee a diuretic?
Coffee contains sufficient caffeine content so it is a mild diuretic. The caffeine in a regular coffee cup boosts your energy and gives you a short-term diuretic effect. The caffeine moves from your stomach to your bloodstream and liver, developing biochemical and metabolic changes. These changes boost energy and urge your kidneys to produce more urine and eliminate excess water and salt.
So, it lets you pee more and increase your trips to the bathroom, depending on the amount of your daily coffee consumption.
Does caffeine make you pee?
Yes, caffeine acts as a diuretic. Normally, your pituitary glands release antidiuretic hormone (ADH) which travels to your kidney, tells it your body is thirsty and needs water, and creates aquaporins.
Aquaporins transport water to all the cells in your body. So, caffeine inhibits the production of ADH, affects the hydration process, and prevents the absorption of water in the kidney. No ADH, no aquaporins, the water will go to your bladder instead of cells, and make you pee more.
To experience the diuretic effect, you need to consume 360 mg caffeine; however, an 8 oz coffee cup contains only 95-200 mg caffeine. So, ingest two coffee cups to run the diuretic effect on your body.
Does caffeine dehydrate you?
Caffeine stimulates your metabolism and heats your body. Increase in heat means your body requires more water and you may become dehydrated. So, you can prevent your body from dehydration with the intake of several cups of water. Normally a regular coffee cup causes diuretic effects but does not cause dehydration. Eventually it all depends on your consumption; more caffeine will cause a high diuretic effect and lead you towards dehydration.
What is a decaf coffee?
Decaf coffee is made with decaffeinated coffee beans and contains only 2-3 mg caffeine content while the regular coffee contains 95 mg caffeine content. Decaf coffee beans are the same beans used in regular coffee but they undergo a decaffeination process. These decaf beans are then ground and used to make coffee.
How are decaf coffee beans made?
There are many ways to remove caffeine from the coffee beans; however the most commonly used process is the Swiss Water technique.
Swiss Water process
This process uses water, temperature, and time to remove caffeine from the beans. The steps include:
- The green coffee beans are soaked in hot water to extract caffeine and other soluble compounds.
- The water is then passed through activated carbon filters to remove the caffeine from the solution.
- The caffeine- free water soaks a new batch of green coffee beans for several hours to remove the caffeine.
- The beans are dried and roasted to produce delicious decaf coffee.
This process removes 99.9% caffeine and preserves the beans’ original characteristics, resulting in a delicious coffee cup.
Other methods
The other process that is used to remove caffeine from the coffee beans include:
- Direct solvent method: In this process, the beans are heated and soaked in a methylene chloride solvent. The solvent absorbs caffeine but it also removes a bit of flavor.
- Carbon dioxide method: It involves the soaking of coffee beans in highly compressed carbon dioxide, resulting in the removal of caffeine while retaining all the flavor compounds. However, it is an expensive process.
Is decaf coffee a diuretic?
Compared to regular coffee, decaf coffee lacks caffeine content so it does not act as a diuretic. So, if you are caffeine sensitive or want to avoid caffeine, try decaf coffee! Decaf coffee does not contain enough caffeine to prompt your kidney to produce more urine. So, it is safe to use.
Benefits of decaf coffee
The other benefits of decaf coffee include:
- Decaf coffee contains a large amount of antioxidants, offering many health benefits such as reducing the risk of Diabetes Type II and liver enzyme levels.
- It offers a delicious coffee cup with rich flavors and robust aromas.
- Decaf coffee does not disturb sleep patterns and does not cause insomnia.
- It is safe for pregnant women as they are advised to limit their caffeine consumption. It is also safe for adolescents.
- Decaf coffee is perfect for caffeine sensitive people, allowing them to enjoy rich flavors without any side effects.
- It does not cause anxiety, restlessness, digestive problems, and acid reflux.
- Decaf coffee does not cause diuretic effects and frequent urination, making it better for hydration.
- It reduces the risk of premature mortality, stroke, and heart diseases.
Decaf coffee side effects
Decaf coffee offers remarkable health benefits than regular coffee. However, it also offers some side effects which include:
- Decaf coffee lacks caffeine so you will not get an energy boost.
- It may cause rheumatoid arthritis.
- Decaf coffee also interferes with iron absorption and causes headache and drowsiness.
Source: https://www.stylecraze.com/articles/unexpected-side-effects-of-decaf-coffee/
Myth about decaf coffee being a diuretic
Many people believe that decaf coffee is a diuretic and causes excessive urination and dehydration. However, the research shows that it is a myth. Decaf coffee is made with decaf coffee beans, resulting in the removal of diuretic effects. It does not cause dehydration so you can easily enjoy your decaf coffee without worrying about increased trips to the bathroom.
What are the reasons that make you believe that decaf coffee is a diuretic?
There are certain factors that make you believe that decaf coffee is a diuretic. It includes:
- Although decaf coffee is made with decaffeinated coffee beans, it still contains small amounts of natural diuretics such as potassium and magnesium which stimulate urine production.
- Some people are sensitive to diuretic effects of coffee which is due to differences in metabolism or genetics.
- Decaf coffee is made with an ion exchange method which involves the removal of natural salts and may cause diuretic effects.
- This drink also contains additional ingredients such as artificial sweeteners or sugar which may have mild diuretic effects.
Decaf coffee is safe and beneficial for health so it should be a part of a balanced diet.
Is decaffeinated coffee a laxative?
Decaf coffee offers a laxative effect similar to caffeinated beverages. This effect depends on its origin, decaffeination process, or consumption. In fact, decaffeination is done by the usage of chemicals so in this process some chemicals are retained in the beans, causing laxative effects. Moreover, coffee (decaf/regular) contains acid which increases the level of gastrin hormone, stimulating involuntary muscle contraction in your stomach that helps in bowel movement. On the other side, decaf coffee also stimulates distal colon or increases the release of cholecystokinin hormone, playing an important role in the digestive process.
Is decaf coffee bad for your kidneys?
Decaf coffee lacks caffeine content so it does not affect your kidney. If you are already facing chronic kidney disease, drink coffee in moderation such as 1-2 cups per day. Decaf coffee also lowers the risk of kidney dysfunction so it is safe to use.
Is decaffeinated coffee bad for you?
Decaf coffee is safe for use and can be a part of a healthy diet. It offers many health benefits such as it reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes, liver enzyme levels, premature mortality, stroke, and heart diseases. It offers delicious coffee cups without diuretic effects and does not cause insomnia, anxiety, acid reflux, or digestive problems.
If you are caffeine sensitive or want to avoid caffeine, decaf coffee is a perfect choice for you. However, it offers minor negative effects such as headache, dizziness, and does not offer energy boost due to lack of caffeine.
Does decaf coffee have caffeine content?
Decaf coffee is made with decaffeinated coffee beans but they still contain traces of caffeine that is left during the decaffeinated process. So a decaf coffee cup may contain 2-3 mg caffeine content and does not affect your health like the regular coffee and is safe to use.
Decaf vs regular coffee: taste and diuretic effect
Decaf coffee is a dark coffee cup with rich flavors similar to regular coffee. The exact notes depend on the types of coffee beans used such as nutty, chocolatey, floral, etc. The normal person can not detect the difference between regular and decaf coffee however, you can not get the same energy boost due to lack of caffeine.
The diuretic effect between decaf and regular coffee depends on the difference of caffeine content. Regular coffee contains 95-200 mg caffeine content so its two cups will offer you a diuretic effect. While decaf coffee contains traces of caffeine i.e. 2-3 mg per cup so it offers no or less potent diuretic effect than the regular coffee.
The verdict
Decaf coffee offers many health benefits due to being devoid of 97% caffeine content and causes less or no diuretic effect. As too much caffeine causes dehydration and diuretic effects, decaf coffee is safe to use due to the absence of caffeine content. So, if you are worried about your excessive trip to the bathroom, switch regular coffee with decaf one, and enjoy your day.
Happy Caffeinating!
Frequently Asked Questions
Does decaffeinated coffee make you urinate more?
Decaf coffee lacks caffeine content so it does not let you urinate more. It imparts less impact on urological function and offers many health benefits so it is safe to use for those who want to avoid their caffeine intake.
Is decaf coffee hydrating or dehydrating?
Decaf coffee lacks caffeine content and does not inhibit the secretion of antidiuretic hormones, so it serves as a hydrating agent and substitute for water.
Does decaf coffee count as water intake?
The water in decaf coffee helps you to meet daily fluid needs and serves as a substitute for water. The absence of caffeine content does not offer diuretic or dehydration effects.
Will I pee less if I drink decaf coffee?
Decaf coffee does not offer diuretic effect and is an excellent way to hydrate your body. So trips to the bathroom depends on the amount of water in coffee, that lets you urinate more.
What happens when you drink decaf coffee everyday?
Decaf coffee is safe to use and can be a part of your healthy diet. It offers many health benefits so you can take it everyday without worrying about its serious effects.
Is too much decaf coffee bad for your kidneys?
Decaf coffee does not affect your kidney if you use it in moderation. However, high consumption may lead to the formation of adenosine in the kidney cortex, resulting in increased creatinine excretion.
What is the point of drinking decaf coffee?
Mostly, people drink decaf coffee to negate the caffeine effects. Although caffeine provides an energy boost and refreshes your mind, it also offers many adverse effects. So, if you are caffeine sensitive, decaf coffee is the best option for you. Moreover, decaf coffee contains antioxidants which neutralize free radicals, reduce oxidative damage, prevent type 2 diabetes, heart diseases, and cancer. It also contains magnesium, offering a shield against diabetes.
Does decaf coffee raise blood pressure?
Decaf coffee lacks caffeine so it does not affect your blood pressure. If you want to control your blood pressure, drink decaf coffee. It will lower your blood pressure without changing other parameters.
How many cups of decaf coffee is ok per day?
Although 400 mg of caffeine is safe per day for adults, you should not reach this limit. It is better to drink decaf or regular coffee in moderation i.e. 1-2 cups daily. If you exceed this limit, thinking that 5-10 cups is safe, you will have to experience serious side effects or health issues.
How do you stop the diuretic effect of coffee?
You can prevent the diuretic effect of coffee in such a way that:
- Brew your coffee with more water or drink dilute coffee.
- After drinking coffee, consume a lot of water to prevent dehydration.
Can decaf coffee cause bowel problems?
Decaf coffee is a laxative agent and plays an important role in the digestive process. However, high consumption may lead to diarrhea, so use it in moderation.
Is decaf coffee hard on your gut?
Decaf coffee contains less acid and caffeine so it causes less digestive problems. It does not cause acid reflux so it is easy on the stomach and does not offer stomach pains or cramps.
How long does a cup of decaf coffee stay in your system?
Decaf coffee lingers in your body for 4-6 hours. As it lacks caffeine so it does not affect your body, making it a part of your healthy diet.
Why does coffee make me pee every 30 minutes?
Caffeine in coffee acts as a diuretic resulting in the increase in frequency of urination. If you consume it in large amounts, it will urge you to urinate more, leading to dehydration. Caffeine also affects the bladder’s smooth muscles so, drink more water to prevent dehydration.
Should I stop drinking coffee if it makes me pee a lot?
If you are facing frequent urination, it may lead to dehydration or other problems. So limit the caffeine intake and drink coffee in moderation i.e. 1-2 cups per day.
Is decaf coffee bad for your prostate?
Caffeine and prostate cancer are not correlated but high caffeine intake can cause it. So, drink coffee in moderation or use decaf coffee to lower the risk of prostate cancer.
