Drinking caffeine-filled beverages can lead to “sticky blood,” and an increased risk of a blood clot according to a leading Consultant in the UK.
The likes of coffee and other caffeine favourites can dehydrate the body, making the blood become a thicker consistency - leading to slower blood flow.
Professor Mark Whiteley, a consultant venous surgeon, revealed to Express.co.uk, that "dehydration affects the constituents of the blood, making blood thicker and more ‘sticky’.”
"Blood flows at a slower rate in veins than in arteries. Therefore, being dehydrated can increase the chances of developing a blood clot in the veins."
This can further lead to deep vein thrombosis, which is a medical condition that occurs when a blood clot forms in a deep vein.
These clots usually develop in the lower leg, thigh, or pelvis, but they can also occur in the arm
Symptoms of DVT in the leg, according to the HSE are:
- throbbing or pain in your calf or thigh which is worse when walking
- swelling, usually in 1 leg, in your ankle, calf or both
- skin on the calf area that is warm when you touch it
Professor Whiteley explained that tea for instance – an Irish staple – contains caffeine, "which actually causes you to lose water" - therefore, tea, coffee and alcohol "can make dehydration worse".
The main symptoms of dehydration to look for include:
- feeling thirsty
- dark yellow and strong-smelling pee - healthy pee should look pale yellow
- feeling dizzy or lightheaded
- feeling tired
- dry mouth, lips and eyes
- peeing little, and fewer than 4 times a day
"Dehydration means your body loses more water than you take in and eithout enough water, your body cannot function properly, and you can become unwell," Professor Whiteley added.
"In order to avoid becoming dehydrated, it is important to drink plenty of fluids."
But this doesn’t mean just any fluids, it’s important to choose the right ones that will hydrate rather than have the opposite effect.
Professor Whitely recommends sipping on water, diluted MyWadi - or similar - herbal teas, and fruit juice to help remain hydrated.
Despite this, researcher and chemist, Dr. Tim Bond from the Tea Advisory Panel, said he does not think tea could be dehydrating.
"Tea potentially increasing the risk of blood clots because of dehydration echoes very outdated science," he said.
Doctor Bond added: "Recent studies, including a RCT [randomised controlled trial], have actually shown that tea offers the same hydrating properties to water.
"Intakes of six to eight servings of black tea has been found to be equally as hydrating as water – based on a range of markers of hydration status."
There can also be signs of "over-drinking" that have the some health disadvantages, including:
- Sweating at rest
- Urine that is completely colourless (it should be very light yellow)
- Lack of concentration
- Aside from dehydration and sticky blood, a DVT is more likely if you:
- Are over 60
- Are overweight
- Smoke
- Have had DVT before
- Take the contraceptive pill or HRT
- Have cancer or heart failure
- Have varicose veins
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