Prof. Dr. Sedat Üstündağ pointed out that caffeinated drinks are not very suitable for meeting the fluid need and warned citizens, “Coffee can cause fluid deficiency in the body.” So, how many liters of water should be consumed and drunk daily? Are coffee, tea and various liquids sufficient to meet daily fluid needs? Here are the details…
Dean of Trakya University Faculty of Health Sciences and Director of Organ Transplantation Research and Application Center Prof. Dr. Sedat Üstündağ emphasized the vital importance of drinking water and stated that the body’s water need differs in summer and winter.
Factors Determining the Need for Water
Prof. Dr. Üstündağ said that temperature, sweating and evaporation are the main factors that determine the body’s need for water. He reminded that they ask patients to come to the examination by collecting one day’s urine in the amount of 2 liters.
How Much Should Daily Water Consumption Be?
Stating that it is sufficient for men to consume 2.5 liters of water a day and women around 2 liters, Prof. Dr. Üstündağ said, “This amount includes all beverages, not just water. However, the amount of solute in drinks is important. Liquids other than water, such as fruit juice, are not as valuable as water. As the additional substances in water increase, its ability to compensate for fluid deficiency decreases.”
The Role of Coffee and Tea in Water Needs
Stating that coffee can increase fluid loss in the body, Prof. Dr. Üstündağ said, “Drinking water before and after coffee can reduce the negative effects of coffee. Due to caffeine, it can cause dangerous increases in blood pressure, especially in elderly individuals and those with hypertension. Even healthy individuals should not exceed 300 milligrams of caffeine per day.”
Emphasizing that caffeinated drinks are not suitable for meeting fluid needs, Prof. Dr. Üstündağ said, “A cup of tea contains 60 milligrams of caffeine. The amount of caffeine in a cup of Turkish coffee is much higher. It is recommended not to exceed these amounts.”
Disadvantages of Drinking Tea
Stating that tea also has some drawbacks, Prof. Dr. Üstündağ said, “The substances in tea dilate the bronchi and increase urinary blood flow. When drunk very hot, it can cause esophageal and stomach disorders. When mixed with a metal stick, the temperature drops and this risk decreases. Dark tea can bind to iron due to the tannin it contains and can cause iron deficiency anemia by preventing iron absorption. Light, lemon and sugar-free tea is a better choice than coffee.”
Personalized Water Program
Prof. Dr. Üstündağ stated that patients should be evaluated by a physician regarding water consumption. Pointing out the importance of creating a water program on an individual basis, he stated that water deficiency or excess in individuals with kidney disease can endanger life.
