Pay Attention to How to Consume Caffeine in Tea and Coffee So That the Body Does Not Quickly Drown During Fasting

JAKARTA - Enjoying a cup of coffee or tea during sahur and breaking the fast seems to be a tradition for many people. However, behind the enjoyment, there are several effects of caffeine that we need to consider so that the body's condition remains in good condition during fasting.

Professor of Public Nutrition at IPB, Prof. Dr. Ir. Ali Khomsan MS, explained that caffeine has a diuretic property, which is a substance that stimulates the kidneys to urinate more frequently.

The diuretic properties of coffee and tea can cause the body to excrete more fluid. If consumed excessively during sahur, the risk of optimal hydration will be more felt during the day.

"Coffee is a diuretic, so people who drink it will excrete more fluid through urine. Tea also contains caffeine, although the level may not be as high as coffee so that the diuretic effect is not as great as coffee," explained Prof. Ali as reported by ANTARA.

If the body loses too much fluid, the impact is a greater sense of weakness when fasting. In addition, caffeine can also keep you awake, which has the potential to disrupt the sleep cycle that has changed during Ramadan.

In addition to caffeine, Prof. Ali also highlighted the habit of adding sugar and milk to drinks:

Sugar intake: Excessive sugar use in tea or coffee needs to be reduced to avoid long-term health problems and unstable blood sugar spikes during fasting.

Milk mixture: Adding milk to coffee or tea is okay to enrich the taste. However, keep in mind that the nutrition of milk is no longer dominant because its function is only as a counterbalance to the bitter taste.

In order for the body to stay well hydrated, Prof. Ali suggests prioritizing other fluid intake during sahur and breaking the fast, such as plain water or fruit juice without added sweeteners.

"I would rather recommend drinking other liquids (water) during sahur and breaking the fast. That way, the impact or health problems that may be faced during fasting will not be too big," he concluded.