We all know that drinking plenty of water during the day is very necessary. Water is one of the most important things for the well-being of our body – water is important for our blood pressure, heart rate, and body temperature as well as for our hair, skin, and nails. But, we do not just drink plain water during the day. What about other beverages such as coffee? Does it count as water intake?

Does Coffee Count As Water Intake?

Normally, yes! Some people may think coffee is diuretic because it makes people urinate. So you might end up with losing water instead of taking water by drinking coffee. Actually, according to the studies, only people who seldom drink coffee but then drink too much coffee at one time can feel the urge to urinate. Among people who drink coffee habitually, they won't have more urination. Therefore, coffee can count as your water intake.

Does Alcohol Count As Water Intake?

No, alcohol does not count as water intake. In fact, excessive consumption of alcohol can lead to dehydration. Normally, your body releases anti-diuretic hormone (ADH) when it feels the need to conserve water. When you drink alcohol, the release of the hormone will be blocked. This means that the more alcohol gets concentrated in the blood, the more urine will be produced, eventually leading to less hydration and even dehydration. Unlike coffee, people do not develop a tolerance to this effect of alcohol. 

What Other Drinks Can Count As Water Intake?

Does coffee count as water intake? Yes. How about other drinks? The drinks and foods that also count as water intake are listed below. Note that water is the only natural fluid with no calories, but other beverages usually contain calories which will contribute in the total amount of calories you consume a day. Also, pay attention when consuming drinks that are high in sugar. They will harm your blood sugar and teeth.

1.   Milk

Milk contains not only water, but also essential nutrients like calcium, vitamin B and proteins. However, milk contains also saturated fats. Sometimes, it is recommended, especially for adults and older children to consume skimmed milk or semi-skimmed milk. For one-year-old babies, whole milk is recommended. For two-year-old children, semi-skimmed milk should be introduced gradually.

2.   Fruit Juice and Smoothies

Fruit juices and smoothies also count in the total water intake. They also contain fiber, minerals, vitamins, and other substances. However, fruit juices and smoothies contain sugar and can even be acidic, meaning that they are potentially harmful to your teeth.

3.   Soft Drinks

Does coffee count as water intake? Yes. What about soft drinks? Yes, they also count as water intake. However, remember that if these soft drinks are rich in sugar, they will increase the calories you consume a day. If possible, choose low-sugar soft drinks and even better sugar-free soft drinks.

4.   Food

About 20% of our water intake during a day comes from the food we consume. Some vegetables contain more than 80% of water. Stews and soups also contain a lot of water. However, only food consumption is not enough regardless of what you eat during the day. Don’t forget to consume plain water or other drinks.

How Much Water to Drink During the Day

For the human body to function normally, a certain amount of water should be consumed daily. Normally, we lose water with bowel movements, urine, breathing, and perspiration. Until recently, it was believed that 8 glasses of water a day are recommended for everyone. However, this varies from one person to the other, depending on your weight, size and physical activity. In general, you should consume about half an ounce to one ounce for each pound of weight a day. For example, if you weigh about 100 pounds, you should consume about 50 to 100 ounces of water a day. The amount of water you need to take a day will depend also on the climate that you are living in. In hot climates, more water should be consumed, compared to cooler climates when less water is needed.

Are You Getting Enough Water?          

Just knowing the answer to "Does coffee count as water intake?" is not enough. You should also know whether you meet the daily water intake or not. You can tell if you are getting the necessary amount of water by checking the urine output and its color. If you urinate regularly every 2 to 4 hours, this means that you are well hydrated. The color of the urine should be light and the volume should be significant as well. However, if you do not urinate more than 4 hours a day, if your urine volume is lower and if you notice a different color of your urine, you are probably dehydrated.

Dehydration symptoms include:

• Dark urine
• Tiredness
• Headache
• Poor concentration
• No frequent urination
• Tiredness
• Dizziness, etc.

Remember that severe dehydration can be even life-threatening. Symptoms include:

• Weak and rapid pulse
• Sunken eyes
• Confusion
• Irritability
• Cold extremities
• Sagging skin, etc.