The Reason You Should Drink Water After Coffee

Exploring the Reason for Drinking Water After Coffee

You may have noticed a dry mouth after drinking coffee, particularly Robusta coffee, which has a higher caffeine content compared to Arabica. There’s no need to worry, as this dryness is a natural effect of coffee. Being a diuretic, coffee increases urine production, which can lead to a loss of electrolytes and water from the body.

Additionally, coffee stimulates the brain's nervous system, ultimately leading to increased stomach acid secretion. As a result, excessive acid production after drinking coffee may cause a burning sensation in the stomach.

On this basis, it can be said that drinking water after coffee has a scientific rationale and offers several benefits. Firstly, it helps reduce the bitterness of coffee and alleviates dry mouth. Moreover, water can help balance stomach acid levels and prevent acid-related discomfort.

What Is the Purpose of Water with Coffee?

According to Wakacoffee, coffee lovers know exactly how to get the most enjoyment from their coffee. While drinking a glass of water after coffee may seem like a simple solution, it helps you feel better after drinking coffee.

Whenever you drink coffee, your body loses some water, which can result in increased stomach acid or a dry mouth afterward. Therefore, it is recommended to drink a glass of water after coffee to replenish the lost fluids. Additionally, water helps reduce the toxins and harmful effects of coffee, allowing you to enjoy its benefits without the downsides.

Water served alongside coffee preserves the desired taste and aroma of the coffee while helping to keep your body hydrated. It’s a perfect combination that enhances the positive effects of coffee and neutralizes its harmful ones.

Drinking Water Before or After Coffee? Which Is Better?

So far, you’ve learned several reasons to drink water after coffee, but some people prefer to drink water before their coffee. This raises the question: Is it better to drink water before or after coffee? Many people believe that drinking water before coffee might interfere with the taste of the coffee and reduce the enjoyment of its effects.

However, it’s important to note that drinking water before coffee prepares the body to absorb nutrients and prevents stomach acid production. This way, you won’t experience a burning sensation in your stomach after drinking coffee and will be protected from its negative effects. Drinking water after coffee also has many benefits, as it neutralizes coffee’s diuretic effects and helps replenish lost electrolytes and water in the body.

Whether you choose to drink water before or after coffee depends entirely on your personal taste. A simple test is all it takes to determine whether drinking water before or after coffee is more appealing to you

Why is Water Served with Espresso?

Serving coffee, like eating, has its own customs and etiquette. Many bitter and relatively strong coffees are often consumed without milk or sugar and should always be served with a glass of water. In coffee shops, drinks like Turkish coffee, double espresso, and single espresso are typically served with water.

The main reason for drinking water after coffee is related to the bitterness and heaviness of the brew, which can leave a slightly astringent taste in the mouth. Drinking a little water helps balance the taste and prevents damage to your teeth.

Additionally, drinking a glass of water before Turkish coffee cleanses the mouth and prepares it to fully appreciate the flavor of the coffee. Since many coffee enthusiasts drink coffee for its fat-burning properties and low calorie content, drinking water—neither too cold nor too hot—can help enhance these benefits.

The Main Reason for Serving Water with Turkish Coffee

Turkish coffee is known for being heavy and relatively bitter, and it must always be served with a glass of water. Because the brewing process takes place directly in the water, Turkish coffee contains fine coffee grounds (or sediment). Drinking water after Turkish coffee helps remove these particles from your teeth.

Of course, the most important reason for serving water alongside Turkish coffee is also related to an old Turkish custom. Since Turkish people are known for their hospitality and warmth, when an uninvited guest arrives, they are greeted with a cup of Turkish coffee along with water. If the guest drinks the water before the coffee is served, it indicates that they are hungry. This allows the host to understand this without asking and prepare food for the guest.

What Should We Eat After Coffee?

In fact, water is the best thing to consume after coffee. As you may have noticed in many cafes and even at parties, a glass of water is often served alongside strong and bitter coffees. The reason for drinking water after coffee, apart from being an old tradition, also has scientific benefits for the body.

After drinking coffee, your tongue and teeth are affected by the color of the coffee, leading to discoloration. Therefore, by drinking a glass of water after coffee, you can help protect your teeth. Additionally, the lingering taste of coffee in your mouth may negatively affect the flavor of other foods. Drinking water helps clean the mouth and remove the coffee taste from your tongue.

Aside from water, there are other options such as chocolate and sweets that you can consume after drinking coffee. However, it's better if the foods contain minerals like potassium and magnesium, as they can help reduce the effects of caffeine in coffee.

Examining the Reason for Drinking Water Before Coffee

You’ve already learned several reasons for drinking water after coffee, but in this section of the article, let’s explore the reasons for drinking water before coffee as well.

As you know, the tongue, with its numerous taste buds, allows us to recall the flavors of various foods we consume. Water, as a healthy beverage, plays an important role in cleansing the taste buds on the tongue. Therefore, drinking a glass of water before having coffee helps remove the remaining flavors of food in the mouth. This way, we can fully enjoy the unique aroma and taste of our coffee.

Drinking Water After or Before Coffee

As mentioned earlier, drinking water before or after coffee is a matter of personal preference. You can decide based on your own taste and liking. However, to maintain oral and dental health, it is recommended to drink some water after having coffee, if possible, to help clean the color and stains left by coffee on your teeth.

Should the Water with Coffee Be Hot or Cold?

Some people prefer to drink their coffee with cold water and ice cubes, but this is not recommended. The water served with coffee should be neither too cold nor too hot. Excessively cold water can prevent proper cleansing of the tongue and delay the enjoyment of the coffee's taste. On the other hand, very hot water can damage the surface of the tongue. Therefore, it’s best for the water to be at room temperature or lukewarm.