Should you drink 2 bottles of water for every cup of coffee? Experts weigh in | Health News

Ever felt sluggish after your morning cup of coffee? You are not alone. It is normal to feel dehydrated after consuming caffeine. Recently, digital creator Deepsikha Jain shared on social media that coffee can contribute to dehydration in the long run, and the best way to counter this is drinking two bottles of water per cup of coffee.
“Coffee is really beneficial for health but also will make you more dehydrated so make sure that you drink water before or after coffee to maintain your hydration levels,” she wrote in the caption of her Instagram post.

Curious about this claim, reached out to health experts to verify its accuracy and effectiveness.
Does coffee really dehydrate you?
Edwina Raj, head of services, clinical nutrition & dietetics, Aster CMI Hospital, Bengaluru, said that excessive caffeine acts as a diuretic, causing the body to lose water and leading to dehydration. “Caffeine should be consumed in moderation and paired with other hydrating beverages that also offer antioxidants,” she said. Some good options include fruit-infused water, amla and tulsi shots, fruit smoothies, vegetable soups, tender coconut water, and buttermilk with turmeric and pepper.
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Here’s why coffee dehydrates you. (Source: Freepik)
Archana S, senior nutrition at Aster Whitefield Hospital, Bengaluru, too, attributed dehydration to caffeine’s diuretic properties, and said this, in turn, causes tiredness. “Drinking coffee with added sugar can also cause blood sugar spikes and crashes, leading to drowsiness. People who consume coffee regularly may develop a resance against its effect, thus feeling tired and sleepy even after its consumption,” she said.

According to her, moderating coffee intake and drinking two bottles of water—one before and one after—can indeed help counteract the dehydrating effects and prevent tiredness.