Why Water?

It may come as a surprise but a recent survey indicated that 60% of the population are at risk of dehydration. This is not because we're not drinking enough fluid, it's because we're not drinking enough of the right fluid, water.

Lack of water can be responsible for a number of ailments including:

If you find that you're suffering from any of these the solution could be a simple one, try drinking more water.

Performance

Sorry, your browser doesn't suppor Java. If you do not drink enough water you could find that you feel tired and that it is hard to do your work and if you have been running around, had a PE lesson or the weather's hot you need to make sure you drink more water.

Dr David Lewis recently conducted research which revealed that dehydration is costing British business an estimated £3.5 billion a year in absenteesism and poor performance.

Your body is 70% water. Your brain has 15 billion brain cells, these are between 74% and 85% water. Your brain works via connections between neurones and these work best when you are properly hydrated. One of the earliest symptoms of water shortage is fatigue. The human body is the most sophisticated machine known to man and like all machines it relies upon input to deliver output. If you want to get the best out of your body put the best in, fresh water, with nothing added.

But I drink tea, coffee and fizzy drinks that's just as good isn't it?

No. Because of their diuretic properties coffee and to a lesser extent tea can actually add to dehydration as can fizzy drinks containing caffeine.

How much should I drink?

According to nutritionists 6-8 glasses a day. The best way to do this is to maintain a steady intake throughout the day. This is why water coolers are becoming more and more popular, you've got a constant supply close to hand.

• Recent surveys indicate up to 75% of us are not drinking enough water.
  
  

• And that 67% of school children drink well below the daily recommended intake.