You are so right. The people who claim that drinking caffienated beverages is worse than drinking nothing at all are totally off base, and I was glad to see that old adage debunked in a fairly recent National Geographic article. Along the same line, I've often heard that drinking alcoholic beverages are worse than drinking nothing at all. But just put me in Death Valley for 3 days with 3 cases of beer along with the nonalcoholic bloke who drinks nothing at all and see who comes out healthier--and happier. I don't doubt that plain old water is better for hydration purposes, but many 19th century sailors and some of my friends have proved that you can survive for extended periods without drinking it.