Time to pay attention to hydration needs during winter months

International Bottled Water Association | NEWS RELEASE | December 21, 2017

Time to pay attention to hydration needs during winter months

Alexandria, VA – With the arrival of the winter season, the International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) is reminding consumers that it’s just as important to remain hydrated through the cold winter months as it is during any other time of year.

Moisture loss isn’t as noticeable in the winter because people don’t sweat nearly as much as they would during the hot summer months. In addition, breathing dry winter air increases moisture loss through exhaling water vapor. For that reason, performing even normal, everyday activities during the winter can lead to mild dehydration, which at a 1-2 percent loss of weight can affect a person’s mood, energy level, and mental awareness.

“People tend to forget to remain well-hydrated during the colder months,” says Jill Culora, IBWA vice president of communications. “The cold winter air is much drier than the humid air of summer, and it can have significant effects on the body.

“In winter, people are less likely to feel thirsty, so they have to be mindful to regularly consume water – whether tap, filtered, or bottled water –to stay well-hydrated throughout the day.”

The heating systems we use in winter can also contribute to issues with staying adequately hydrated because they pump houses full of hot, dry air, according to the Cleveland Clinic. “Breathing dry air can cause respiratory ailments such as asthma, bronchitis, sinusitis and nosebleeds. Breathing dry air also can cause dehydration, since body fluids are depleted during respiration,” says the Cleveland Clinic. (Source: health.clevelandclinic.org/2016/02/can-best-combat-effects-dry-winter-air)

Oddly enough, nighttime hydration can play a critical role in how well people sleep. Every night while sleeping, a person’s body loses up to a pound of weight, all moisture from sweating and breathing out water vapor and carbon dioxide. (Source: www.npr.org/sections/krulwich/2013/06/19/193556929/every-night-you-lose-more-than-a-pound-while-youre-asleep-for-the-oddest-reason)  

The Sleep Foundation says going to bed even mildly dehydrated can disrupt people’s sleep. “Dehydration causes your mouth and nasal passages to become dry, setting you up for sleep-disruptive snoring and a parched throat and hoarseness in the morning. And a lack of pre-bed fluids can also lead to nocturnal leg cramps that may keep you awake. In addition to the frustration of fragmented sleep, being dehydrated during night can compromise your alertness, energy, and cognitive performance the following day.”(Source: sleepfoundation.org/sleep-topics/the-connection-between-hydration-and-sleep)

“Bottled water is a great healthy hydration choice for those trying to avoid or moderate calories, caffeine, sugar intake, artificial colors or flavors and other ingredients,” says Culora.

“With the holiday season upon us, bottled water offers a replacement for high-calorie beverages, or as an alternative to alcoholic drinks, for guests and designated drivers. 

“Bottled water offers consumers a refreshing, healthy, hydrating, and convenient beverage that provides consistent safety, quality and good taste. From spring, to purified, sparkling, and mineral water—there are many types of bottled water for people to choose from for any specific needs or occasions.”

More information about bottled water can be found at www.bottledwater.org.

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Media Contact:
Jill Culora
jculora@bottledwater.org
703.647.4609

The International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) is the authoritative source of information about all types of bottled waters, including spring, mineral, purified, artesian, and sparkling. Founded in 1958, IBWA’s membership includes U.S. and international bottlers, distributors and suppliers. IBWA is committed to working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which regulates bottled water as a packaged food product, to set comprehensive and stringent standards for safe, high-quality bottled water products.  

In addition to FDA regulations, IBWA member bottlers must adhere to the IBWA Bottled Water Code of Practice, which mandates additional standards and practices that in some cases are more stringent than federal and state regulations. A key feature of the IBWA Bottled Water Code of Practice is a mandatory annual plant inspection by an independent, third-party organization.  

IBWA is proud to be a partner with Keep America Beautiful and a supporter of Drink Up, an initiative of former First Lady Michelle Obama and the Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA), which encourages Americans to drink more water more often – whether from the tap, a filter, or in a bottle. Choosing water is always the healthy choice.