Five Common Caffeine Myths Busted

It's one of the oldest drugs on the market that's readily available and very addictive: caffeine. But conflicting information about caffeine abounds. "Good Morning America" medical contributor Dr. Marie Savard busted five common caffeine myths.

True or False?

1. Caffeine dehydrates you.
False

Savard says for caffeine to cause you to lose excess salt and urine, you'd have to take a lot. It would have to be within a short period of time. If you have a cup of coffee, it's not going to send you to the bathroom faster than anything else. It can count toward your hydration for the day, just like water.

2. Caffeine causes heart disease.
False

Savard says it's not going to cause a heart problem, but it is a stimulant, so it will stimulate your heart. If you already have an overstimulated heart from disease, it will exacerbate symptoms. But it won't cause the problem.

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3. Caffeine helps weight loss.
False

It would take 35 cups of coffee to lose one pound a day. Caffeine can speed up metabolism, with 100 mgs of it helping to burn an extra 75 to 100 calories a day, but there has been no long-term benefit to weight control demonstrated.

In fact, in a study of more than 58,000 health professionals who were followed for 12 years, both men and women who increased their caffeine consumption gained more weight than those who didn't.

4. Caffeine helps you exercise.
True

A New York Times article reported that caffeine enhances endurance in aerobic activities, as well as performance in anaerobic ones. Some experts believe that it does so because it blunts the perception of pain and aids the ability to burn fat for fuel instead of its carbohydrates.

5. Caffeine is safe during pregnancy.
False

Savard stresses that even a 100 mg dose can be dangerous. According to a Kaiser Family Foundation study done earlier this year, caffeine is linked to increased risk of miscarriage.