Why you should avoid drinking coffee when you're tired

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Dr. Diana Felicia Suganda, M.Kes, Sp. G.K, a clinical nutrition specialist who graduated from Universitas Indonesia, advised the public not to overdo coffee when the body is fatigued. “In fact, if you drink coffee, it tends to give us a short-term stimulant effect when we are tired,” Diana said at a press conference in Jakarta on Tuesday. Diana explained that coffee has diuretic properties, or caffeine contained in it can stimulate the kidneys to produce more urine and expel sodium from the body. Greater urine output can accelerate dehydration. Nevertheless, Diana said coffee can still be consumed at certain moments. “So if you need coffee as a pre-workout, go ahead. But make sure to rehydrate with fluids. Fluid intake should be sufficient, electrolytes should also be adequate,” she said. She noted there are four types of electrolytes in the body: sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium. All of them complement functions that plain water does not provide. Electrolyte substances function to help balance body fluids, support muscle function both during contraction and relaxation and regulate blood pressure. Other functions include supporting heart and nervous system function and maintaining bone and muscle health. “Our body is unique and indeed mostly composed of fluids. In fact, 60 to 65 percent of our body consists of fluids including water, blood, plasma and electrolytes,” she added.