Hydration in the news
The latest hydration-related news.
Chris Evans Breakfast show BBC Radio 2: On how much water we should be drinking
Professor Paul Gately talks to Chris Evans about the pros of water and how much we need to be drinking everyday.
New NHC Factsheet: Hydration in Early Years Fact Sheet
Establishing healthy hydration habits early is important for the health and well-being of young children and as they grow through life. Children form habits at a young age and are dependent on their caregivers to provide them with the best source of hydration at regular intervals. This fact sheet takes a look at the water requirements of young children, current beverage patterns and provides some tips for hydrating children in their early years.
How parents’ drinking habits influence children
Kinvara Carey talks about the difficulties of choosing healthier drinks for children and discusses the new report the Natural Hydration Council published which looks at the influence parents’ habits have on their children.
How to encourage children to drink more water
Dr Emma Derbyshire discusses how can you can encourage children to drink more water.
Daily Express: Tiredness and fatigue
A piece on tiredness and the potential causes including top tips to help people who need an energy boost to get through the festive seasons. The piece mentions dehydration as one of the symptoms of tiredness and quotes our GP survey which showed that one in 10 cases of tiredness are attributed to dehydration.
Only 1 in 3 drinks consumed by children are ‘good for their teeth’
New data, commissioned by the NHC, from Kantar Worldpanel shows that water accounts for only 26% of 5-9 year olds overall consumption with a modest increase of 4% in the last year compared to 11% among the population as a whole. Plain milk accounts for only 10%.
New NHC Fact Sheet: Sparkling Water
Sparkling water is one of the healthiest ways to hydrate with no sugar or calories. Sparkling water has been gaining popularity in the UK and
US and yet there is still some confusion about sparkling water; how it is produced and its health benefits. This fact sheet explains how sparkling water is made, what it does and does not contain, how much we are consuming and the role it plays in supporting healthy hydration.Top tips for the London Marathon
Johanna Hignett gives hydration advice ahead of the London Marathon.
Bottled water and soft drinks producers drive plan to eliminate plastic packaging waste from their sectors by 2030
The University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) and a group of leading bottled water and soft drink manufacturers have launched a report at the House of Commons, which sets out an ambitious roadmap to eliminate plastic packaging waste from the bottled water and soft drinks value chain by 2030. The independent report, the first of its kind, is set out to enable and encourage other industries and countries to create their own systemic roadmaps and visions to eliminate plastic packaging waste.
The roadmap provides a clear timeline for working towards the ultimate goal of transitioning to a more circular economy for plastic soft drinks packaging, where plastic packaging use is reduced wherever possible and otherwise is reusable or recovered and recycled.
The report was developed with input from the Future of Plastic Packaging Working Group: Lucozade Ribena Suntory and members of the Natural Hydration Council: Brecon Mineral Waters, Danone Waters (UK and Ireland), Harrogate Water Brands, Highland Spring Group, Montgomery Waters, Nestlé Waters UK, Shepley Spring and Wenlock Spring.
The full report: Towards sustainable packaging: A plan to eliminate plastic packaging waste from UK bottled water and soft drinks can be found here.
2019 UK Bottled Water Conference
The UK Bottled Water Conference will provide updates and insights on consumer and market trends, as well as exploring the direction of new product development and debating key issues from health to sustainability. Designed for business leaders, innovators, retailers and advisers to gain a complete overview of the most promising opportunities, the event will provide valuable perspectives to help prepare for the next phase in the industry’s ‘Thirst for Growth’.
New report suggests that young children copy the drinking behaviour of their parents
A new report from the Natural Hydration Council backed by media psychologist Emma Kenny and expert children’s nutritionist Dr Emma Derbyshire, reveals how children’s drinking habits are significantly influenced by what they see their parents doing.
NHC statement in response to Childhood Obesity: A Plan for Action
The Natural Hydration Council (NHC) is disappointed that there is no mention of drinking water in the government`s Childhood Obesity: A Plan for Action, released on 18th August 2016.
Dr Emma Derbyshire PhD, RNutr. Advisor to the Natural Hydration Council and Public Health Nutritionist said:
“Water is one of the healthiest ways to hydrate as it contains no sugar or calories, yet its role in public health continues to be undervalued. Almost two thirds of the population drinks just one serving of water or less a day*. To help tackle childhood obesity, we must encourage healthy drinking habits alongside healthy eating.”
The Natural Hydration Council will offer to work with government and campaigners to examine how the role for drinking water in tackling obesity can be better recognised and promoted, especially in the schools and public sector context.
For example, the NHC will push for government to adopt:
- Guidance for Public Health officials and other health care professionals to recommend water as the first choice for hydration
- Plans to ensure schools encourage pupils to drink water regularly throughout the school day
- Improvement of water availability in public places
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* The statistics were produced by Kantar Worldpanel using data from Kantar Worldpanel’s Food and Drink Usage panel. 52 w/e 21 June 2015.
B Baby Magazine: how to keep hydrated while exercising in pregnancy
Dr Emma Derbyshire gives tips on the importance of keeping well hydrated when you’re pregnant and exercising.
Baby and You: Pregnancy Hydration
Dr Emma Derbyshire explains the importance of ensuring you are well hydrated throughout your pregnancy.
BBC News: How to survive long journeys on the road
Dr Emma Derbyshire gives advice on how many drinks to take if you are going on a long car journey especially if think you might get stuck in a long jam.
Daily Express: Signs of heatstroke
Dr Emma Derbyshire gives her advice on how to stay hydrated in a heatwave and avoid heat exhaustion and heatstroke.
Daily Express: Symptoms of dehydration
.Dr Emma Derbyshire gives advice on how best to avoid dehydration when temperatures rise to 30C.
Local Goverment Association: Put tap water on tables in restaurants
Local Government Association calls for restaurants to encourage drinking water to help fight childhood obesity.
North West Evening Mail: Opt for water – how to get ready for the summer
Dr Emma Derbyshire gives her advice on how to get ready for the summer which includes opting to drink water as it’s calorie and sugar-free and drinking 2 litres a day.
Edinburgh Marathon: how to stay hydrated
Professor Tom Sanders shares his tips for staying hydrated while running a marathon.
How to stay hydrated when travelling
With summer here and the holiday period just around the corner Dr Emma Derbyshire gives advice on keeping everyone hydrated and alert particularly when travelling whether at home or aboard.
Yummy Mummy Beauty: advice for when you have trouble sleeping
Dr Emma Derbyshire gives advice on how to stay hydrated while avoiding midnight trips to the loo.
Advice on how to stay hydrated during a marathon
Express online includes top tips from Professor Sanders about how to stay hydrated during a marathon.
Blog discussing hydration and exercise
Personal trainer Carly Tierney talks about hydration the best ways to stay hydrated during exercise. She mentions the NHC tip to sip water at least every 20 minutes or so while exercising.
New Eatwell Guide: “It is good to see that water is the first choice for hydration”
Public Health England’s new Eatwell Guide, now includes a glass of water, recognising the important role of healthy drinking as well as healthy eating, in the overall diet.
Commenting Professor Tom Sanders said “It is good to see that water is the first choice for hydration.
“Following the news of the sugar tax it is great to see the plate is encouraging consumption of one of the healthiest ways to hydrate.”
To download the Eatwell guide click here.
World Kidney Day – 10th March 2016: Kidney stone cases at A&E double in 10 years
According to data reviewed by the NHC, emergency hospital admissions for kidney stones are rising in England. Professor Tom Sanders and Professor John Sayer advise people to drink plenty of water and eat a healthier diet to reduce the risks of the painful condition.
Children’s TV characters are pushing fizzy drinks
A report published by the Natural Hydration Council shows that almost two thirds of drinks shown on children’s television programmes are sugary or fizzy.
Shepley Spring joins the NHC
The Natural Hydration Council (NHC) has announced that Shepley Spring Water has become its ninth and newest member.
New report on drinks consumed by TV shows
A report published by the natural hydration council shows that little more than one in 20 soap characters’ drinks were a glass of water, while more than a third were alcoholic beverages.
Daily Mail Online Health Notes: Sparkling water contains no calories and sugar
The Mail Online Health Notes quote the results from the NHC survey that one in 20 people think sparkling water contains calories, while eight per cent think it is made with sugar. They clarify that it is a complete misconception. Sparkling water has no calories and no sugar.
The best ways to recover from a hangover
Read Abi Jackson’s guide on how to avoid a hangover. One of the tips includes drinking plenty of water.
How Much Water Should I Drink? And Common Water Myths Busted
Good Housekeeping look at how much water you should be drinking including tips on how to reach your daily fluid intake as well as busting some common water myths.
Natural Hydration Council conference report: Hydration for life – can we do more?
Bottled water producers, cooler companies and utility water companies met in London in October for the Natural Hydration Council (NHC) conference.
The conference, called to debate whether more could be done to improve hydration for life, was the first organised by the NHC since being founded in 2008.
As well as producers, attendees included dieticians, nutritionists, environmental experts and healthcare practitioners, who debated and discussed what more could be done to encourage healthy hydration.
NHC opinion piece published in The Grocer Magazine
As obesity continues to hit the headlines, manufacturers and supermarkets continue to seek alternatives to food and drink products high in sugar and fat. Curiously, the most simple, pure and unprocessed drink on the shelf is not always seen as part of the solution.
Water is essential for life. Good hydration has been linked to better concentration, mood and cognition. . Yet in the UK, 60% of the population drinks just one glass or less of water a day (REF: KANTAR 2014). The Natural Hydration Council’s research with Netmums found some children having to manage up to 18 hours without a drink of water. And our 2015 survey of UK GPs found more than one in five GP visits for tiredness often had dehydration as the root cause.
Whether tap, bottled, still or sparkling, water is the healthiest way to hydrate. So what can we do to encourage this habit?
Party like a pro: Top tips to survive the festivities without risking your health
Express online article about surviving the party season with your health and wellbeing intact. The piece includes tips from Professor Tom Sanders.
Down a big glass of water before going to bed and keep a bottle on your bedside table, suggests Professor Tom Sanders, adviser to the Natural Hydration Council.
“A glass of orange juice in the morning can pick up blood-sugar levels, which are often low after excess alcohol. Avoid greasy fry-ups in the morning as these can make you feel worse. Opt for carbohydrate-rich foods such as breakfast cereals or toast and continue to drink water throughout the day,” he says.
Roger Henderson expresses concern that almost as many people search online to access health advice as consult their GP
Blogging on the Huffington Post Dr Roger Henderson expresses his concern about a NHC survey that has revealed that we’re almost as likely to use search engines – to access health advice, as we are to visit our GP. The survey also looked at myths around water that people believe including one in twenty incorrectly believe that sparkling water contains calories, while eight per cent of people erroneously believe sparkling water contains sugar.
Water is the only drink that UK consumers are drinking more of
The figures, produced by Kantar Worldpanel, show that consumption of bottled water has increased by 9% and consumption of tap water has increased by 17% in the last year. There is a quote from Kinvara which says “Whilst it is good to see that water consumption is on the increase, clearly more needs to be done to encourage healthy drinking as much as healthy eating. There are still more than 30 million people who do not drink water at home in a typical week; that’s half the UK population.”
BBC Future take a look at sparkling water and debunk the myths behind it
BBC Future piece debunks the myths about sparkling water being detrimental to our gut, bones and teeth.
New study suggests drinking water before meal may help people to lose weight
A new preliminary study by the University of Birmingham suggests that drinking 500ml of plain water before each meal may aid weight loss.
Water myths debunked; How much to drink and when to drink it, plus what the real benefits are
Dr Emma Derbyshire helps debunk the myths around water and how much to drink and when in Stylist Magazine online.
Children’s hydration habits – the importance of staying hydrated for back to school
As the beginning of September marks the time in which children head back to school, it’s perfect for parents to introduce their children to new healthy habits. Read Happy Families online for some ideas on encouraging children to develop a taste for water.
Hydration at Work
Equity Bull piece mentioning that it is important to prioritise hydration in order to maintain your mental and physical performance. It also includes tips some tips to help you reach your daily fluid intake.
NHC response: Selfridges’ decision to remove plastic water bottles
NHC response to Selfridges’ decision to remove plastic water bottles:
Bottled water represents approximately 18% of the packaged soft drinks market and has the lowest environmental impact of all soft drinks. The focus should be on encouraging the recycling of plastic bottles, which are 100% recyclable, rather than limiting consumer choice. Given the health benefits of choosing a drink with no calories or sugar; all water, whether tap, still or sparkling should be encouraged.
The Mirror: Holiday health survival guide
The Daily Mirror have written a guide on how to enjoy a healthy holiday. The article includes a section on dehydration with quotes from Dr Emma Derbyshire on how to avoid dehydration by not forgetting to drink cool fluids are regular intervals.
The Sun: Keep cool and carry on
An article in The Sun looks at ways of keeping cool this summer during the heat wave. The piece includes advice from Dr Emma Derbyshire to always have access to water, particularly when you’re out and about.
GPs reveal UK ‘tired all the time’
May 2015: New survey reveals one fifth of GP visits down to tiredness and fatigue. Dehydration thought to be the cause of one in ten consultations for tiredness and fatigue.
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Nutrition and Hydration Tips For New Mums
If, like the Duchess of Cambridge, you have recently given birth new mum and nutritionist Dr Emma Derbyshire has put together a few simple hydration and nutrition tips to help you look after yourself post-pregnancy.
Daily Mail: Is being dehydrated really as bad for you as being drunk?
April 2015: Daily Mail article looking at dehydration following a new study which suggests that getting behind the wheel when dehydrated makes you just as hazardous as being under the influence of alcohol. The piece includes comments from Professor Tom Sanders about kidney stones.
Daily Mail: How low-carb diets may be causing more kidney stones
April 2015: A piece in the Daily Mail on the causes of kidney stones discussing how low-carb diets can be a cause. Dehydration is mentioned as the main cause of stones by Dr Kathryn Griffith, the Royal College of GPs’ clinical champion for kidney care.
Huge increase in hospital admissions for kidney stones sufferers
March 2015: The Daily Mirror reports on the increase in emergency admissions for kidney stone suffers. Professor Sanders advises “drinking plenty of fluids reduces the risk of this happening and this is why it is sensible to drink plenty of water throughout the day”.
Montgomery Spring becomes a member of the Natural Hydration Council
March 2015: Montgomery Spring Water has become the newest member of the NHC.
CBBC star encourages youngsters to come up with ways to drink water
February 2015: CBBC presenter Stefan Gates visits the Wise up with Water challenge winning school and delivers a Wacky Water Workshop.
The science behind hydration
January 2015: Watch Stefan Gates in Gastro Lab’s ‘Science behind hydration’ video which explains how the body is 60% water, how water is constantly lost from the body and needs to be replaced. A case study of Olympic boxer Natasha Jonas illustrates how water is lost through sweating, and how rehydration is important to improve concentration and prevent fatigue or headaches. The sweating mechanism is explained and linked to thermoregulation (controlling the body temperature). An experiment shows how sweat contains salts of magnesium, calcium, potassium, and sodium.
How to beat hangovers this Christmas
December 2014: Professor Tom Sanders shares his tips to All About Health on how to relieve a festive hangover.
Tips to help survive the winter weather
December 2014: The Daily Mirror outlines a number of tips to survive the winter weather which includes a tip on keeping hydrated from Professor Tom Sanders.
60% of the population drink just one glass of water, or less, a day
November 2014: The majority of people in the UK (59.4%) drink just one glass of water or less a day, and more than 80% of the population (81.8%) drink no more than two glasses a day. That’s according to new findings revealed at the UK Bottled Water Conference, which is hosted by Zenith International in collaboration with the Natural Hydration Council.
The findings, produced by Kantar Worldpanel, also revealed that fewer than 1 in 250 people in the UK meet their total daily fluid needs with water.
How to get your kids drinking more H2O – Stefan Gates’ top tips
October 2014: Star of CBBC’s Gastronauts and Incredible Edibles Stefan Gates is sharing his top tips to encourage children to have fun with water and make it their first choice for hydration as part of the Wise up with Water campaign.
Children confused about nutrition and health
September/ October 2014: The NHC and Children’s Food Trust have launched a new campaign after worrying statistics from an NHC survey revealed significant gaps in children’s knowledge of nutrition.
The study aimed to identify children’s knowledge in relation to which drinks are the most important for health and found that almost one in 10 children believed that the body can survive without water.
The importance of hydration during pregnancy
24 September 2014: Female First explain why it is important to stay well hydrated during pregnancy with essential tips from Dr Derbyshire.
Kate Middleton suffering again with acute morning sickness
9th September 2014: Insightful footage on the Daily Telegraph website, from midwife Zita West on the condition ‘hyperemesis gravidarum’.
For further information on hydration and pregnancy see our fact sheet.
Technical and regulatory support for bottled water producers
22 July 2014: The NHC announces the formation of its new Technical Working Group.
100F heatwave to blast Britain as Spanish plume sends in RED-HOT air from the continent
16 July 2014: The Daily Express reports on the heat wave in Britain. The piece includes tips from Dr Derbyshire advising people to consume water at regular intervals throughout the day and evening.
Clarity sought over sports drinks
11 July 2014: Nearly a third of teens drink sports drinks designed for high intensity exercise while at the cinema, watching TV or gaming.
A quarter of teenagers think sports drinks are healthy enough to be drunk anytime, despite health guidelines stating they should only be drunk during high intensity activity lasting more than an hour, according to a survey by the NHC.
NHC statement
Further to the calls from health experts (see below ‘In the News’ post), the NHC has issued this statement:
Following Public Health England’s report out today (Thursday 26th June) which sets out guidelines aimed at tackling obesity levels, Kinvara Carey, General Manager, Natural Hydration Council says:
“We absolutely support the advice that people, particularly children, should drink plenty of water. Life long hydration habits are often formed at a young age, and the taste for water can be nurtured by continually offering it to children.
“This simple advice will help people get into the habit of drinking water, which is one of the healthiest ways to hydrate.”
Place water on the table at mealtimes urges Professor Tom Sanders
26 June 2014: Ahead of Public Health England’s new advice on sugar reduction health experts are encouraging drinking water to reduce sugar intake and cut the risk of obesity. Professor Susan Jebb, professor of diet and population health at the University of Oxford leads the calls for parents to change children’s drinking behaviours by offering them water. Professor Tom Sanders advised to encourage this habit families should place a jug of water should be put on the table at mealtimes.
H2Only Challenge
June 2014: Could you drink water only for two weeks? Find out how journalists Chloe Nichols, Healthista, and Daniel Falconer, Female First, get on with the RNLI’s H2Only challenge.
New School Food Standards
In response to the launch of the new school food standards, announced today by the Department for Education, Kinvara Carey, General Manager at the Natural Hydration Council says:
“The focus on water as the default drink for children is a positive step in developing healthy hydration habits for all children. We know that keeping children hydrated in the school setting can be challenging, but the health benefits of good hydration have shown to have a positive impact on children’s concentration levels in the classroom. Hydration and nutrition go hand in hand and we welcome the equal focus on hydration in these new standards.
“Life long hydration habits are often formed at a young age, and the taste for water can be nurtured by continually offering it to children. We know water is one of the healthiest ways to hydrate and these guidelines by the Department of Health reinforce the important role water plays in health and wellbeing.”
How hydrated is Britain?
May 2014: A study by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) has found that 89% of Britons do not drink enough water to maintain healthy hydration levels.
The research comes as the RNLI encourages people to take on its H2Only challenge – giving up all drinks except water for two weeks from Tuesday 27 May. The aim is to help raise money for the lifesaving charity while at the same time making a healthy change to participants’ lives. Learn more.
Myths about bottled water still confuse consumers
7 May 2014: The NHC debunks five myths that might prevent people from drinking bottled water, following a survey conducted on 2,000 consumers.
UK bottled water drinks consumption up 10% in 2013
6 May 2014: Zenith International’s 23rd annual report on the UK bottled water market has found that UK consumption of all bottled water drinks rose by 10.1% in 2013 to 2,770 million litres with a retail value of £2,300 million. The piece includes comments from Kinvara Carey.
Why does bottled water have a best before date?
1 May 2014: Listen to Sarah Coats Chandler’s interview on BBC Radio 2’s Simon Mayo show. A listener sent in a question asking ‘why does bottled water have a best before date?’. Sarah explains ‘natural spring and mineral waters are natural, pure products, which are untouched and untreated by any chemicals. To ensure optimum taste and quality a best before date is in place. This is also a legal requirement as it is a food product.’
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The Grocer: Bottled water sales could ‘outstrip cola within three years’
22 March 2014: Bottled water will be worth more than cola within the next three years, according to the sector’s leading brands.
Lucozade Sport ad breaches ASA Code
8 January 2014: The Advertising Standards Authority has today published a ruling that the high profile Lucozade Sport advertising campaign that used the slogan ‘Hydrates and fuels you better than water’ has breached the Code.
It breached BCAP code rules 13.4 and 13.4.2 and CAP code rules 15.1 and 15.1.1 and received 63 complaints.
The campaign, launched in January 2013, features footballer Gareth Bale and rugby players Chris Robshaw, Richie Gray and Leigh Halfpenny and includes outdoor advertising as well as a TV campaign.
The TV advertisement shows two groups of men, who were being monitored by lab equipment and technicians, running on treadmills. The ad ends with the text “Hydrates and fuels you better than water” whilst showing the water-drinking group collapsing in a heap, and the Lucozade Sport group continuing to run with ease and celebrating.
Kinvara Carey, General Manager, Natural Hydration Council said:
“We are pleased with the decision by the ASA to uphold our complaint regarding the high profile Lucozade Sport advertising campaign. There is already much confusion over the role of sports drinks and for the majority of people participating in exercise and sporting activities, water is all that is needed for effective hydration. The majority of sports drinks contain calories and may only have a positive contribution to make to professional athletes and those participating in high intensity, endurance activity”.
Research conducted by OnePoll with 2,000 consumers in February 2013 showed that nearly 80% of people surveyed said they would normally choose water for hydration before seeing the Lucozade Sport TV commercial. However, after viewing the ad, over 55% said they understood the message was that Lucozade Sport is better than water for hydration during any exercise.
Despite being designed for those who are highly physically active, a further piece of research from the Natural Hydration Council (NHC) in 2012 revealed that over 11 million adults across Britain consume sports drinks while sitting at their office desks. In addition, a further third of low-intensity exercisers also consume these drinks when exercising for “extra energy”- despite not even breaking a sweat.
Additional industry reports value the sports and energy drinks sector in grocery retail at over £1 billion in 2013 – data from Nielsen, 2013.
Professor Paul Gately, Carnegie Professor of Exercise and Obesity and Director of MoreLife at Leeds Metropolitan University, has today commented:
“The claims made in this advert were not supported by the scientific evidence for carbohydrate electrolyte solutions. Sports drinks can help to hydrate during and after intense, endurance exercise, but there are many factors to take into consideration, including how physically active the person is to begin with and what they have consumed that day. Most people exercise for less than 60 minutes per day and tend not to participate at an intensity in which sports drinks could make a positive contribution. For the majority of people water is the best choice”.
Dr Emma Derbyshire, Senior Lecturer in nutritional physiology at Manchester Metropolitan University and advisor to the Natural Hydration Council has today commented:
“It is great to hear the outcome of this investigation as sports drinks are really only relevant for a small percentage of people engaged with exercise and sport. Most of us don’t exercise for over 60 minutes at the kind of intensity that would require a sports drink and therefore, water is perfectly adequate and contains zero calories, sugar and additives”.
Further information on hydration during exercise can be found here.
Telegraph online: winter health
7 January 2014: Telegraph online feature on the common ailments which Brits can suffer on long haul flights, and in foreign countries during winter. Dehydration is mentioned as one of the problems. Advice from Dr Emma Derbyshire urges people to ensure they always have access to water, and consider bottled water when on the move.
Beating sugar cravings: How to encourage your children to eat and drink more healthily
24 October 2013: How many young children do you know who have happily eaten all the vegetables offered to them? How many shun sugary drinks and prefer water? Most parents will be familiar with children who refuse to eat vegetables but would eat plenty of sweet and often fatty foods, given half a chance. This can be a source of frustration for parents keen for their children to eat a healthy diet, who run the risk of dinner time becoming a battlefield. Read Dr Leigh Gibson’s blog on Netmums about how to encourage your children to eat and drink more healthily.
Eating and drinking tips for fussy little ones
November 2013: Babyworld article on fussy eaters and drinkers with Dr Leigh Gibson’s top tips on how to get the kids to drink and eat more healthily.
How hydration can help you feel at your best this winter
11 December 2013: Dr Emma Derbyshire provides Netmums with some top tips on how hydration can keep you and your family feeling at their best this winter.
Netmums webchat with Dr Derbyshire
16-20 September 2013: This week Netmums’ members can take part in a webchat with our Science Panellist, Dr Emma Derbyshire. She will be on hand to answer any of their hydration related questions such as how much and what children should be drinking, how you can get them to drink more water or how much they should be consuming of various drinks – things like milk, smoothies, or juice etc. She can also provide tips and advice for healthy hydration when you’re away on holiday or for when your children are at school.
Schoolchildren could be going for 18 hours without a drink
September 2013: According to a NHC survey, children could be going for as long as 18 hours without anything to drink on schooldays.
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Those who buy bottled water more likely to have healthier shopping basket
25 November 2013: Foodbev reviews the NHC AGM which featured a lively debate on packed lunches, revelations on children’s hydration and insights into the world of social media, as well as marking our fifth anniversary.
Water is the top adult daily beverage choice, but not so much for kids and teens, reports NPD
18 November 2013: First Lady Michelle Obama recently embarked on a new campaign that encourages kids to drink more water, something they don’t do a lot of now, reports The NPD Group, a leading global information company.
One man’s extraordinary thirst for bottled water
11 September 2013: As part of the BBC News website’s Real Times series, in which ordinary people tell their extraordinary stories, Faustino Munoz talks about his lifelong passion for bottled water. His palate can distinguish between dozens of different sorts of water, a hobby that started as a child, while helping his mother cook.
Heatwave hydration
22 July 2013: Dr Emma Derbyshire gives some top tips to Netmums on keeping your children hydrated in the summer heat, especially if you are travelling.
Summer camp hydration
6 August 2013: Sending your children to a summer/ sports camp over the holidays? Read Dr Derbyshire’s Netmums blog on how to keep them well hydrated.
Clarification: BPA in bottled water
19 June 2013: There has been a study by The University of Illinois which made reference to Bisphenol A (BPA) in bottled water. We would like to clarify that there is no BPA in PET plastic and this the plastic packaging that is used for all naturally sourced water sold on the supermarket shelves in the UK.
Bottled water producers have reduced PET packaging by over 10% in the last 5 years
6 June 2013: A survey conducted by the the NHC revealed that its members have reduced the amount of plastic in their bottles by an average of 12% since 2008.
Urinary Tract Health
10 June 2013: Dr Emma Derbyshire explains to YummyMummyBeauty how avoiding drinking can be counterproductive in combating this UTIs.
Hydration advice for children
May 2013: The NHC teamed up with Netmums to understand the level of knowledge from parents / carers about healthy hydration for them and their family as well as specific advice for children between 4 -10. Find out more about the results.
Kidney Stones: The facts
19 May 2013: Professor Tom Sanders gives the low down on kidney stones and how keeping well hydrated can help stave them off.
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley’s beauty secrets
9 April 2013: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley talks to Female First about her beauty secrets and in the ‘body’ section she mentions her passion for drinking water.
Ask the expert – pregnancy hydration
16 March 2013: Dr Emma Derbyshire gives advice on why it is important to drink more whilst you are pregnant and breastfeeding.
Pregnancy health
February/ March 2013: Female First, TheFashionCentral.com and Babyworld look at the importance of hydration during pregnancy and how being well hydrated may help alleviate some pregnancy related conditions.
Chris Evans’ hydration questions
29 January 2013: Are we like a camel or more like a sponge? Dr Emma Derbyshire educates Chris Evans on the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show about healthy hydration and the wonders of water.
Ask the expert – hydration for schoolchildren
January 2013: Dr Caroline Edmonds gives advice on the benefits of encouraging your child to drink more at school, following her study which suggests that drinking water helps children to perform better on tasks that use attention, memory and motor skills.
Bottled water vs. tap water
2 January 2013: There is a story in the Daily Mail and Telegraph online about bottled water and tap water.
NHC response
These claims are highly misleading and unhelpful. Bottled water is a packaged product which is completely safe to consume and complies with water quality requirements defined by EU Drinking Water and Natural Mineral Water Directive 2009/54/EC. As a food product, bottled water also complies with food safety and hygiene requirements. According to the article, bottled water producers only carry out tests at source, once a month, while tap water companies test once a day. In truth, bottled water producers conduct tests at source several times a day, as well as testing every batch of bottled water produced, before it leaves the plant, so it complies with the stringent requirements. If these requirements are not met, the water cannot be sold. All these daily tests guarantee that for any and every brand of natural mineral or spring water sold in the UK, several hundreds of tests, even thousands, are carried out every year. This is why naturally sourced bottled water is not only pure, high quality water, but also completely safe. Whether consumers choose to drink tap water, which has been chemically treated or a natural mineral or spring water, water is the healthiest way to hydrate. And of course in times when tap water is compromised, eg. during flooding, then bottled water is provided as a safe alternative.
How to enjoy a tipple sensibly this party period
December 2012: If you are concerned about overdoing it with alcohol during the festive period, spare some time to think about how you can drink more sensibly to ensure your Christmas is merry in all the right ways.
Natural Hydration Council AGM
21 November 2012: Foodbev reviews the Natural Hydration Council AGM which took place on 6th November, and was attended by leading experts in the field of hydration and nutrition.
Thirst for knowledge
7 November 2012: The Daily Mirror reports on a survey conducted by Dr Caroline Edmonds that found pupils failed to concentrate at school because they do not drink enough water.
Miranda Kerr: The secrets to her beauty
9 November 2012: Miranda Kerr reveals her beauty secrets which include drinking water throughout the day.
Hangover vs. Hydration
7 October 2012: MSN article about how to look good if you have a hangover. The piece includes re-hydration tips from the NHC.
First for thirst
14 September 2012: Women’s Fitness article on staying hydrated with advice from the NHC.
Sports drinks
28 August 2012: The Sun looks at the sugar content of sports drinks. Comments from the Natural Hydration Council on the merits of water as a hydration choice.
Staying cool while cycling
19 August 2012: Cycling Buddy discuss the negative effects of dehydration on cycling performance, including comments from the Natural Hydration Council about how to stay cool in the heat.
Water at the Olympics
1 August 2012: The Independent express concerns about the “shortage” of free drinking water available at Olympic Games venues, including comments from the Natural Hydration Council about staying hydrated.
Children’s Hydration Glass
30 June 2012: A new child-friendly, educational tool providing important hydration advice has been launched by the NHC coinciding with research showing that schoolchildren may improve their cognitive performance by hydrating with water.
H2Ouch! Is making sure we drink two litres of water a day a waste of time and money?
12 June 2012: Along with getting our five a day, the Daily Mirror questions why millions of us try to glug two litres of water a day. What’s important to remember is that water is the only fluid you need to hydrate as part of a healthy diet and lifestyle. In spite of the guidelines, the average Briton drinks just 200ml of water a day – less than one glass out of the six to eight glasses.
Be drink-wise this Summer
8 June 2012: With the season upon us for barbeques, socialising outdoors and partying at festivals and sporting events, research from alcohol charity Drinkaware (www.drinkaware.co.uk) has shown that almost a quarter of UK adults (24%) admit to drinking more in the summertime than they do at any other time of the year
Hold your nerve: 10 top tips to reduce anxiety
29 May 2012: Anxiety is something we all experience from time to time – from tension before an exam or interview to feeling butterflies in our stomachs on a first date.
Exercise & hydration
April 2012: Commissioned by the Natural Hydration Council, a survey of over 2,000 UK adult respondents showed that over 11 million adults across the UK, including over a quarter of all men, are consuming excessive sugar by drinking sports drinks when sitting at their office desks.