# Alcohol and dehydration

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alcohol-and-dehydration/835638>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [June 17, 2019, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alcohol-and-dehydration/835638 "2019-06-17T12:45:25Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 1

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**Author:** ![Vic\_Parrish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Vic\_Parrish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vic_Parrish)\
**Post date:** [June 17, 2019, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alcohol-and-dehydration/835638/1 "2019-06-17T12:45:25Z")

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I’ve heard all my life that alcohol causes dehydration. I have also heard that people in the Middle Ages often drank beer or cider because it was less likely to carry bacteria than the local water supply. I have also noticed that after drinking a moderate amount of beer (really!) my urine is almost colorless, a sign that I am NOT dehydrated. What’s the deal? This seems contradictory to me. Is it a matter of ABV or proof? I’m sure the sages on this site can set things straight for me.

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