Staying hydrated is important for many reasons. Between 50% and 80% of your body is water and so drinking enough water each day is essential for your health.¹ Your body relies on water to function properly.
We’re advised to drink ‘plenty of water’ on a daily basis.² The amount depends on your age, but typical average intake for an adult is between 2.1 – 2.6 litres per day (8-10 cups).³ This amount includes all fluids, not just plain water, and there are many drink options available now to help you reach your daily water needs. Some bottled water is flavoured but has a similar nutritional profile to water. These beverages are a good way to stay hydrated when needing something different from plain water, as are sports and vitamin waters when exercising.
Hydration is one of the most important aspects of your diet. Drinking enough fluids every day helps to ensure that your body can function properly. If your body doesn’t have enough water, it may affect your physical and mental performance.⁵ Ensuring you regularly drink an adequate supply of fluids, such as water, will help keep your body performing well.
Water is a vital nutrient. It makes up 50-80% of an adult’s body and is essential to most bodily functions.⁶
Staying hydrated helps our bodies to:
Water is the most popular beverage choice among Australians. Surveys show that water consumption is an increasing trend, with average water consumption of 55 litres per person each year while out and about. That’s on top of the water they drink at home from the kitchen tap. But is this sufficient?⁷
The Australian Dietary Guidelines recommend us to drink plenty of water, but this will vary from person to person. Intake of fluid and your body’s needs will depend on your physical activity, and how rapidly you are losing it from your body. This is influenced by many factors, including your health, the local climate, how active you are, your age, if you’re pregnant or lactating, and what food and drinks you consume.⁸
According to the National Health and Medical Research Council, the following quantities of fluids (including plain water, tea, and other drinks) are recommended by life stage and gender as a general base requirement:
Sparkling, infused or unsweetened, flavoured waters are all refreshing alternatives to plain still water, and may encourage a higher fluid intake if you’re looking for a hydrating drink with some additional flavour.
It has never been easier to stay hydrated. Hydration includes all fluids, such as the water we drink, and the fluids we get from foods and other drinks. Did you know that the body can get about 20% of its total water requirements from solid foods, such as fruits and vegetables? But the remaining 80% must come from liquids, including water and juice.
All water-based drinks, including plain bottled water, must adhere to the requirements of Standard 2.6.2 of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (ANZ FSC) in order to be sold in Australia. The standards deal with packaged water and water-based drinks which contain food additives and nutritive substances.
The Australasian Bottled Water Institute (ABWI) Model Code, is a standard solely for plain bottled/packaged water. Bottlers across Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific regions comply with this Model Code, meaning their water is guaranteed safe to consume, sustainably sourced and of the highest quality.
Look for the Australasian Bottled Water Institute (ABWI) logo on the label.
