Can you believe that only 60% of the UK population drinks just one glass of water a day!

Posted On : 23/11/2014

The majority of people in the UK drink just one glass of water or less a day, and more than 80 per cent of the population have no more than two glasses a day, according to new research.

The findings were revealed at the UK Bottled Water Conference hosted by Zenith International in collaboration with the Natural Hydration Council, earlier this month.

It was found that 59.4 per cent drink the equivalent of a single glass of water or less a day, while 81.8 per cent consume no more than two glasses a day.

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.

Official NHS guidance suggests adults should drink 8-10 200ml glasses of fluid a day; and while all fluid counts towards this target, water is one of the healthiest ways to hydrate as it contains no calories or sugar.

Professor Tom Sanders, professor emeritus of nutrition and dietetics, King's College London and advisor to the Natural Hydration Council, said: "We've got out of the habit of drinking water. If people swapped drinks containing sugar and alcohol with water, it would have a positive impact on the nation's health."

Dr Emma Derbyshire, founder of Nutritional Insight and adviser to the Natural Hydration Council, said: "It's surprising that more people aren't opting for water to keep them well hydrated. Water is extremely beneficial for the human body.

"It carries nutrients to cells, helps to remove waste products from our major organs and helps to regulate our body's temperature. As well as being important for health, water is also calorie-free."

Here are Countrywise Water Coolers' 10 tips for drinking more water:

1. On a sedentary day, try to drink around two litres of water.
2. Start by drinking a glass of fresh water when you get up in the morning.
3. If you are not used to drinking water regularly, try initially replacing just one of your other drinks a day with fresh water, increasing your consumption as the weeks go by.
4. Ask for a glass of water to go with your coffee and tea in cafes.
5. Drink a glass of water before and during each meal.
6. Hot water with fresh mint, lemon balm or a piece of fruit in - like lime, lemon, orange etc often helps those who want a hot drink.
7. Carry a bottle filled with chilled tap water with you whenever you leave the house.
8. During exercise, drink at 10 to 15 minute intervals or think of it as a full glass every 30 minutes drink slowly and drink early, it’s physically easier to do this when you are still feeling fresh.
9. Keep a check on your urine. As a general guide to hydration, it should be plentiful, pale in colour and odourless.
10. Provide a Countrywise water cooler wherever you have got thirsty, hot or tired staff.