Is Higher Water Intake Advice Driven By Business Interests?

Date: Jun-15-2012The suggestion that our bodies need about two liters of fluids each day is not specifically related to water.

Spero Tsindos from La Trobe University published an editorial in the June edition of Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, examining the reasons for people's high water intake.

According to Mr Tsindos, encouraging people to drink more water is not merely to attain a healthier life style. He believes that it is based on vested interests, saying: "Thirty years ago you didn't see a plastic water bottle anywhere, now they appear as fashion accessories."

He continues: "As tokens of instant gratification and symbolism, the very bottle itself is seen as cool and hip." With regard to drinking water in terms of people's constant desire to loose weight, he says: "

Drinking large amounts of water does not alone cause weight loss. A low-calorie diet is also required. Research has also revealed that water in food eaten has a greater benefit in weight reduction than avoiding foods altogether. We should be telling people that beverages like tea and coffee contribute to a person's fluid needs and despite their caffeine content, do not lead to dehydration."

He suggests: "We need to maintain fluid balance and should drink water, but also consider fluid in unprocessed fruits and vegetables and juices."

Written By Petra Rattue

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