Why Does Coffee Make You Pee More?
We all know what it’s like to feel the urge to abruptly run to the bathroom after we’ve had too much coffee. Have you ever asked yourself why this happens? Many people are astonished to learn that coffee can cause an increase in urination or in less scientific terms, “make us pee more.” Here, we take a look at why this occurs.
Coffee is a Diuretic
The biggest reason that coffee can increase your urge to urinate is because it is a diuretic. This means it helps your body to eliminate more waste, usually in the form of any excess fluid and electrolytes. Your kidneys are responsible for regulating the chemical composition of your body’s fluids. As a result, when you drink coffee, your body will detect and correct the change in balance.
Effects on Hydration
Caffeine increases urine production, causing your body to release a higher than normal amount of fluids than it would normally. This in turn, makes you more likely to become dehydrated. For this reason, it is suggested that you drink a glass of water to rehydrate after consuming coffee, to compensate for the dehydrating effect.
Benefits of Increased Urination
Increasing your urination rate can be beneficial as it helps the body to flush out various toxins, virus and bacteria from your body in the form of urine. This can help to improve your overall kidney health and reduce your risk of certain urinary tract and bladder infections.
Coffee and Other Factors
There are some factors that can contribute to an increase in urination within an individual. These include:
- Consumption of sugar-containing beverages – sugar can cause our bodies to release fluids faster.
- Drinking plenty of fluids – it’s important to keep your body hydrated but drinking too much fluid can also cause you to pee more.
- Diabetes– people with diabetes often experience an increase in urination.
All in all, while drinking coffee can increase your urge to use the bathroom, it can also provide a range of health benefits including reduced risk of disease and improved kidney health. Remember to drink plenty of fluids to stay properly hydrated after consuming coffee.
