PEOPLE living in Wales don’t know the five most common signs of dehydration, according to research by Aqua Pura.
Although more than half (55%) of residents believe they know the symptoms of dehydration, the new research reveals that many don’t know the warning signs.
Over two-thirds (65%) don’t think bad breath/dry mouth is a symptom of dehydration, while half (50%) don’t think dark urine is a telltale sign. In fact, both are warning signs that should not be ignored.
Early signs that residents of Wales do not see as signs of dehydration (but actually are) include (% of survey sample):
Bad breath/dry mouth (65%)
Feeling dizzy (53%)
Dark colored urine (50%)
Fatigue (48%)
Headaches (42%)
“Dehydration can lead to a number of health issues such as constipation, muscle fatigue, urinary tract infections and headaches, so it’s worrying that so many people ignore the early signs. ‘Having a good level of hydration can help maintain higher energy levels, better weight control and faster thinking.
“As we approach the summer months and temperatures rise across the country, it is important that people take the time to drink more to maintain their fluid levels and avoid any unwanted health issues. comes from a variety of beverages and foods, but plain water is a great calorie-free and sugar-free option to ensure you stay hydrated,” comments hydration expert Dr Stuart Galloway of the University of Stirling.
From soft drinks and fresh orange juice to tea and coffee, research reveals that people in Wales are unaware that beverages other than plain water can contribute to hydration levels.
In fact, nearly two-fifths (17%) of respondents don’t think sparkling water helps, let alone soft drinks.
The 10 best drinks people in Wales don’t think they help with hydration
1. Wine (68%)
2. Beer/Bigger (66%)
3. Cider (64%)
4. Coffee (53%)
5. Hot chocolate (47%)
6. Soft drinks (44%)
7. Fresh juice (21%)
8. Tea (25%)
9. Sparkling water (17%)
10. Dilutable juice (13%)
“Many will be surprised to see drinks like wine and coffee on the list, as they are often thought to dehydrate you. Alcoholic beverages will cause dehydration, but only if you drink more than one or two servings. A similar situation occurs with caffeinated beverages, for example, a black coffee is mostly boiling water, which is part of your daily water intake. The dehydrating effect of caffeine begins to kick in after about a liter of regular coffee, until then it can be classified as part of your daily water intake. However, the best and healthiest way to ensure you are getting your daily water intake is often to drink plain or sparkling water,” adds Dr. Stuart.
Even though drinking water is the easiest and healthiest way to get the daily recommended amount of water, the national survey reveals that almost one in 10 (7%) admit to not drinking water at all. Baby boomers, aged 55 to 73, are the most likely to drink no water at all, with one in seven (14%) saying they do.
Dr. Stuart’s top tips for staying hydrated this summer:
Be aware of signs of dehydration such as dry mouth and dark colored urine
In addition to the fluids you drink, choose foods such as fruits and vegetables that have a high water content as these all help keep you hydrated throughout the day without you even thinking about it
The hotter you are, the faster you will become dehydrated, so make sure to dress for the weather and don’t spend too much time in the sun
If you’re going out for the day, or even if you’re just spending an afternoon shopping, be sure to pack some water with you to stay hydrated on the go
“It’s our mission here at Aqua Pura to keep the nation hydrated – especially during the summer when more people are out and about exploring their area. The good news is that it’s easy to stay hydrated just by drinking water – something that is plentiful here in the UK thanks to our climate.This means we can all take advantage of the fresh water from the hills – in our case from the Lake District – to help keep us healthy.
“Aiming to help people stay hydrated, we’ve created a hydration calculator so Brits can work out how much water they should be drinking this summer. We hope this helps people really understand how much water they should be drinking,” adds Kelly Hall, Aqua Pura.
To calculate how much you should drink, visit www.aqua-pura.com.
