Our Experts Bring a Dose of Truth to the Greatest Coffee Myths for National Coffee Day

As a leading coffee company, Keurig is always interested in how consumers are interacting with their favorite caffeinated beverages, from evolving taste preferences to their unique perceptions.

To celebrate this year’s National Coffee Day, Keurig debunked some of the most popular coffee misconceptions that we hear from consumers across the globe. With no shortage of myths surrounding such a ubiquitous product, Keurig used its deep expertise to set the record straight as consumers enjoy the robust, high-quality coffee beverages that satisfy their cravings.

1. Hydration Station: While you may say otherwise, there is no scientific evidence that coffee dehydrates you. In fact, coffee is not only just as hydrating as water, but moderate coffee consumption also doesn’t cause the dehydration that consumers claim, according to a 2014 study by researchers at the University of Birmingham.
   
2. Sobering Truths: If you’re hoping that a hot cup of Joe will help you overcome the effects from a long night of consuming alcohol, you’re in for a rude awakening. Coffee might provide a natural jolt, but The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism says it’s impossible to expedite the brain’s recovery from alcohol consumption. Like all things, time is the best remedy to get over that headache.
   
3. To Caffeine or Not to Caffeine: Contrary to its name, decaf coffee still contains some amount of caffeine. Although the amounts vary by cup size, decaf beverages typically have between two to five milligrams per eight-ounce cup, compared to the 80 to 100 milligrams in a regular eight-ounce cup, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
   
4. Rest Assured: It’s past your bedtime, you’re staring at the ceiling, and you’re wondering why that 5pm coffee was a good idea. It’s easy to blame a restless night’s sleep (or several) on too much caffeine, but there’s no clear link between coffee consumption and quality of sleep. As the effects of caffeine vary widely by person, even moderate coffee consumption in the evening might not disrupt sleep for everyone, research shows from the National Institute of Health (NIH)
   
5. A Cold Science: They might be similar in their final form, but iced coffee and cold brew aren’t the same beverages, according to the NIH’s National Center for Biotechnology Information. Cold brew uses an intricate process, first extracted with cold water before seeping for anywhere from 16 to 24 hours. Iced coffee, on the other hand, is just hot coffee that’s cooled down.