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Does Coffee Make You Thirsty?
Let's explore why coffee makes you thirsty and other signs you might be drinking too much of it
Published January 3, 2022
Vasileia Fanarioti
Coffee experts@The Coffee Lab
But first, coffee! Honestly, this is the motto that probably gets most of us out of bed in the morning. Drinking coffee wakes us up, it tastes good and smells heavenly. But what happens when we drink too much coffee?
Does it perhaps make you thirsty? And why is that? In today’s article I will discuss some signs that you are drinking too much coffee, including excessive thirst. Curious? Keep reading!
Signs that you are drinking too much coffee
So how much coffee is too much? If one espresso at a time does its wonders throughout the day, why would you drink more? These seven signs show you that you should drink less coffee if you want to do something good for your body.
1. Constant thirst
Drinking a lot of coffee means that we have to go to the bathroom all the time. The caffeine in coffee has a diuretic effect. This means that it causes the body to lose fluid and causes the person to urinate more often than they would without drinking coffee.
If this is not compensated for with enough water, coffee consumption can lead to dehydration and constant thirst. Drinking coffee against it doesn't make it any better. So: It's better to drink a large glass of water between two espressos for a change to really quench your thirst.
2. Sleepless nights
There can be an incredible number of reasons for not being able to sleep. You don't even have control of some of them. But one reason could be that you drink too much coffee. Even if you haven't had a drink in the evening - everyone has a different caffeine tolerance.
Try to go a few days without coffee and it will already show you if coffee is the culprit of your sleepless nights. Another option would be to switch to decaf coffee, at least for the last coffee of your day.
3. Yellow teeth
If your smile is getting more and more yellow, it could be because of the coffee. The tannins contained in coffee settle on the tooth enamel and discolor it yellow. You can of course fight it with all sorts of tricks and expensive toothpaste - but you can only get beautiful teeth in the long term if you start drinking less coffee.
4. Nasty stomach ache
For a long time it was thought that drinking too much coffee lead to stomach ulcers. Fortunately, this is a misconception! Still, coffee can lead to nasty stomach aches, especially heartburn. If you have an uncomfortable stomach feeling after a cup of coffee, it may be time to skip a cappuccino or two.
5. A shaky feeling
Caffeine makes us feel awake and alert. But it also makes us feel shaky if we get too much of it. Those who do not tolerate much caffeine have this feeling even after a cup or two. When you lose control of your hands and your heart is racing - clearly a sign that less coffee might be good for you.
6. Common headache
While you are drinking coffee, the headache will likely leave you alone. But if you miss a cup, the headache returns. This is a very clear sign that your body is so used to caffeine that you are experiencing withdrawal symptoms. A cup of coffee is naturally tempting to relieve headaches - but this is not a long-term solution. Unfortunately the long-term solution is this: drink less coffee.
7. Always in a bad mood
Do you get irritated very quickly or are always in a bad mood and don't really know why? Actually, a small amount of coffee will brighten your mood. But if you overdo it, the caffeine increases your awareness of your surroundings and makes you more prone to stress factors such as annoying noises. Hence the bad mood.
As you can see there are many signs that could prove you might be drinking too much coffee. It could be that only one applies to you, it could be that you recognise yourself in many of them. Whatever the case may be, I am not telling you to stop drinking coffee altogether, just maybe to make some adjustments to your coffee drinking routine.
FAQs
Does coffee dehydrate me?
Coffee is one of the most popular beverages worldwide that people love to drink in the morning. However, coffee has a diuretic effect because it increases urine output which leads to dehydration.
The effects of dehydration on health are well-documented. People who are already dehydrated can experience symptoms like fatigue, dizziness and lightheadedness. So, if you consume too much coffee make sure to drink water in-between in order to stay hydrated.
What can I drink instead of coffee?
Substituting coffee with alternatives can be beneficial for the health of your whole body. You can reduce or even eliminate caffeine intake and improve your overall health.
Yerba Mate: a plant that is often used as a substitute for coffee, yerba mate contains antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and nutrients that are needed to fight diseases and make our bodies healthier. It is best enjoyed hot in the morning or mixed with milk in the evening.
Matcha Tea: Matcha is made from green tea leaves that are ground into powder then mixed with hot water to create a drink that has a slightly bitter taste and an intense green color.It has been used in East Asian countries since the 7th century as a traditional medicine but now it has become popular worldwide because of its benefits such as being in antioxidants and boosting brain function.
Golden latte: A Golden turmeric latte is a drink made with milk, cream, or coconut milk and either turmeric or ginger to thicken it. It’s a great alternative to coffee because it contains less caffeine.
Chai: Chai tea is a type of spiced tea that can be served in many different ways. Chai typically contains black tea, milk, ginger and cinnamon. There are also variations that include cardamom, cloves and fennel seeds.
Chicory coffee: Chicory coffee is made from roasted chicory root which has been used as a coffee substitute for centuries. Chicory coffee is known for being high in fiber and antioxidants.
Final Thoughts
Not everyone can tolerate coffee the same way as we have such different physicality and metabolism. The same thing happens with spicy food or lactose, for example. Fortunately, these days there are many alternatives like drinking decaf coffee, or other coffee substitutes like matcha tea.
Have you experienced any of the above? If so, I hope my recommendations help you discover some coffee alternatives you enjoy. Don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions! You can also visit the Coffee Lab Q&A forum, where we answer questions around all things coffee!
About the author
Vasileia Fanarioti
My name is Vasileia and I’m here because i decided to combine my two favourite things: writing and coffee. I love travelling around the world and visiting coffee shops but my biggest goal is to visit a coffee farm, to see where it all starts! You can follow my coffee adventures via my blog: thewanderingbean.net
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