Last Updated on Tuesday, 09 March 2010 19:39

Scientific trials reveal how dehydration can make us 5 times more vulnerable to colds

Drinking the right amount of water can help protect us against many common health complaints according to a report released by water filter expert BRITA. In an unprecedented study into the links between hydration and general health, scientific trials reveal that we are five times more likely to come down with a cold if we drink 2 - 4 glasses of water a day, than if we drink 6 – 8, and are twice as likely to suffer from headaches.

Experts are always telling us to drink eight glasses of water every day, but only 1 in 6 of us actually do. Half the problem could be that we don’t recognise we are suffering from a lack of water. Until now. This report shows that drinking the right amount of water every day can help to alleviate everyday complaints we have come to take for granted.

Findings showed that:

• Worryingly, only 1 in 6 of us drink the recommended two litres of water every day while a whopping 1 in 10 drink no water at all!

• The main reason we don’t drink enough water is because we think we already do! Despite only 15% drinking the recommended daily amount, almost triple that (43%) thinks they drink enough water already!

• A quarter of us don’t like the taste of tap water, preferring caffeinated and fizzy drinks

• More than 1 in 5 are put off drinking more water for fear of going to the loo too often!

• Those who drink on average 3 glasses a day are almost 5 times more likely to get a blocked nose or sore throat than those who drink the recommended amount, and almost 4 times more likely to suffer from catarrh

• Those drinking on average 2.5 glasses or less are nearly 4 times more likely to catch Flu and 3 times more likely to get constipation than those drinking 3 glasses or more

• In most cases, those drinking the recommended amount recovered from stress in almost half the time it took for those drinking 2.5 glasses or less

• 1 in 4 of those who drink 2 – 4 glasses a day said they suffer from the Winter Blues compared to just 1 in 10 of those who drink the recommended amount

• 1 in 4 of those who drink 2 – 4 glasses a day suffer occasionally from dry and flaky skin when those drinking the recommended daily amount had no problems at all

The trials showed that those who drink more water are less likely to experience respiratory infections, headaches and the Winter Blues, than their more dehydrated counterparts. They are also more able to cope with stressful situations, and will benefit from better skin condition, deeper sleep and better health generally.

Dr. David Lewis who carried out the trials¹ , said: “The human body can go for weeks without food, but it needs water to survive. Yet most of us are happy to stuff ourselves with food, and deprive our cells and organs of essential fluids. This understandably has a big effect on our day-to-day wellbeing. And as the results of these trials illustrate, everyday health complaints can be improved, and even eradicated, simply by drinking the recommended amount of water every day.”

David Banfield, Managing Director for BRITA said: “At BRITA, we know as well as anyone we should be drinking eight glasses of water daily. But we also know how difficult it is. By finding evidence of the benefits of drinking more water, we hope more people will be inspired to reach for the tap, improve the taste by filtering the water, and recognise improvements in their health as a result.”

Why filter water?

While UK tap water is perfectly safe, it doesn’t always, taste, smell or look as nice as we’d like. By filtering the water, the hardness that creates unsightly limescale in kettles and the oily scum in hot drinks and cooking water is reduced, and the lifespan of cooking tools and electrical goods can be extended. Other impurities such as chlorine and lead are also minimised providing clean, clear, great tasting water.

For more information visit www.brita.com

References:

1. The trials were carried out by the David Lewis Consultancy. Copies of the H20 = Health 2 Order report, details of the trial mechanics and full case studies can be obtained from the BRITA Press Office, on 01932 793959