Why Does Drinking Coffee Make You Have To Pee?
It's been called a silent partner, a necessary evil, and a morning must-have. If you are like many, it's hard to function in the morning until you've had your first cup of coffee. Unsurprisingly, Disturb Me Not found that about 64% of Americans were drinking coffee every day in 2022. Whether it is iced, hot, mixed with milk, or topped with whipped cream, we count on our cup of coffee to get us going in the morning. But as with most beverages, we do pay the price of our consumption in trips to the bathroom.
It's common knowledge that in order to feel great on the outside, we have to take care of our insides. Those who are keeping track of how their body reacts to certain drinks or food may have noticed an annoying side effect of consuming coffee. If you are wondering whether or not coffee makes you urinate more than water or other beverages, you are not alone. We've looked into just what is going on with our bladder when it comes to coffee and why it feels different from other liquids.
How coffee affects your bladder
If you've had a hunch that you are visiting the bathroom more urgently after having that hot cup of joe, you are correct. Coffee contains caffeine, which is a diuretic. Diuretics help your body flush out salt and water, so the amount of urine you release might not necessarily match up with the amount you consume. Although you only drink a single cup of coffee, caffeine forces your body to pass more liquid from your system (via HuffPost).
Caffeine also expedites the feeling of urgency you have when you go to the bathroom. Mayo Clinic explains that diuretics allow your kidneys to release an increased amount of sodium into your urine.
While caffeine is the stimulant that has you going to the bathroom more often, it may not be the only factor. Caffeine can also negatively affect your bladder, causing contractions that may create an intense need to urinate immediately, per PureWow.
Ways to cut back your bathroom trips
If you love the boost that coffee gives you, but you cannot afford to be away from your desk at work as much as you have been, there are things you can do. Stopping coffee altogether can cause painful side effects like headaches, irritability, muscle pain, and nausea. To avoid these, consider weaving in some decaf with your caffeine-filled cup until you need less to get you going in the morning. Gradually cutting back on your caffeine intake is a good way to stop the trips to the bathroom, according to Cleveland Clinic.
If you are interested in shaking up your morning drink routine, Healthline suggests Golden Milk, a drink that contains turmeric, cinnamon, black pepper, and ginger. Alternatively, you can swap your coffee for lemon water, which adds a nice boost of citrus to your morning. Both are refreshing options that have natural elements to make you feel hydrated and refreshed in the morning.
If you cannot imagine a life without coffee, but you are exhausted from the trips to the bathroom required to keep your partnership with caffeine, consider cutting back a bit on your consumption of coffee or trying a fun, morning alternative.