11 November 2023 , 09:04
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Brits may be failing to drink enough water, research suggests.
It has emerged that on average, a person drinks just four glasses of water each day, after a study of around 2,000 adults revealed that the majority drink less than two litres - the daily recommended amount. Many people choose instead to hydrate with tea and coffee, with 44 per cent going for a hot drink.
But this is not for a lack of awareness - 64 per cent of Brits understand that they should drink more water, with 49 per cent saying they often forget to do so even though they wish they drank more. Almost half the respondents (four in 10) don’t know how much they drink on a typical day.
The study, commissioned by Volvic Touch of Fruit, found that 24 per cent of the respondents are too busy to fit regular sips into their schedule, explaining why they often forget. A spokesperson for Volvic, Gemma Morgan, said the nation is “struggling” to keep hydrated. "We’re seeing a nation struggling to stay hydrated despite knowing how crucial it is to maintain a healthy, balanced lifestyle,” she said.
Residents of Liverpool, Manchester and Leeds are respectively the least hydrated in the UK. The study released a list of the top 10 city populations which drink the least water, which also included Glasgow and Birmingham, the Sun reported.
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For 60 per cent of people, hydration is more important than physical health - as they feel healthier and happier when they are sufficiently hydrated. 44 per cent of people use the colour of their urine to judge how dehydrated they are, followed by dry mouth, headaches and dry lips as the other main signs.
Just under a third of people (28 per cent) have vowed to stay more hydrated for the new year, some of whom will use flavoured water - which is a favourite for 22 per cent. 41 per cent of respondents in the OnePoll survey have attempted flavouring their own beverages to convince them to drink more often.
Gemma Morgan said: "We want people to know that drinking enough water is not only essential but can be done in a fun and delicious way, and we hope to help people achieve their goals." 26 per cent would drink more water if it tasted better.
The bottom 10 UK cities in terms of drinking enough water are as follows:
- Liverpool
- Manchester
- Leeds
- Worcester
- Leicester
- Glasgow
- Coventry
- Birmingham
- Newcastle
- Chelmsford