Key Tips on Hydration – Hydration for Summer and Travelling In a temperate climate about 2-3 L of water is lost from our bodies each day, mainly as urine but also as sweat, expired breath, and faeces. The total amount of water lost will depend on several factors, such as sex, body size, [...]

Key Tips on Hydration – Hydration and Hangovers Most adults have experienced a hangover at some point, but what is really happening physiologically and can hydration status affect the severity of a hangover? Learn more about the relationship between hydration and hangovers in this edition of our Key Tips on Hydration series. [...]

Key Tips on Hydration – Hydration for elderly people “Hydration for elderly people” explores the special considerations related to hydration in older people, including why elderly people can have an increased risk of dehydration. It also offers practical advice to help keep elderly people well hydrated.

Key Tips on Hydration – Hydration and Urinary Tract Health Achieving and maintaining adequate hydration is essential for the normal functioning of several major organs in the body, not least the urinary tract and kidneys. Learn more about the relationship between hydration and urinary tract health in this edition of our Key Tips [...]

Key Tips on Diarrhoea and Hydration in Children With their lower tolerance of body water losses, children are particularly susceptible to diarrhoea-related dehydration. Dehydration resulting from diarrhoea may pose even more of a problem in younger children who may be unable to respond adequately to questioning about thirst and other signs of dehydration. The [...]

Ensuring older people remain adequately hydrated While activity levels may decrease as we get older, as well as the amount of water needed to maintain sufficient hydration, the body’s need for water to stay adequately hydrated remains paramount. Yet older people face unique challenges to ensure they stay adequately hydrated. The latest edition [...]

Overhydration Body water is tightly regulated to ensure we have just enough, and varies by no more than 1% daily in normal, healthy people (around 250-500ml). When body water decreases (e.g. due to sweating) or blood sodium levels rise, thirst is stimulated and the kidneys conserve fluid. Most people respond by drinking slightly [...]

Should thirst be your guide? For most people, thirst is an adequate stimulus to drink and results in sufficient fluid intake. However, many healthy people are chronically dehydrated, so thirst is evidently not a sufficient stimulus for these individuals.

Climate and Environment Living, working and exercising in challenging climatic or environmental conditions influences our requirements for water due to changes in water losses from respiration and sweating.

Hydration & Diet Achieving an adequate intake of water depends on much more than what you choose to drink, as many foods contribute to water intakes too. Taking a total diet approach helps to ensure that you meet your water needs by including a variety of sources. [...]