18 November 2011
For release: immediate
Drinking water is good for health
The stories in some of the newspapers this
morning (18 November) do not quite capture the whole picture
regarding the approval of health claims relating to water and
hydration.
The European Food Safety Authority has been
asked to rule on several ways of wording the statement that
drinking water is good for hydration and therefore good for
health. It rejected some wordings on technicalities, but it
has supported claims that drinking water is good for normal
physical and cognitive functions and normal thermoregulation.
These recommended claims are awaiting formal confirmation from the
European Commission.
EFSA recommends that, to benefit from the
effects of drinking water, one should consume at least 2 litres of
water a day, or 2.5 litres for a man. Water is the major
component of all soft drinks.
Dehydration can reduce mental and physical
performance but the wide range of soft drinks available means that
it is easy, convenient and enjoyable to drink enough to stay
properly hydrated.
Ends
For further information please contact
Richard Laming
Media Director
British Soft Drinks Association
Tel: 020 7025 3707 / 07879 654555
Email: rlaming@britishsoftdrinks.com
Website: http://www.britishsoftdrinks.com/
Notes to editors
1. The British Soft Drinks Association
represents the interests of producers and manufacturers of soft
drinks including carbonated drinks, still and dilutable drinks,
fruit juices and bottled water. BSDA members are responsible for
the vast majority of products on the British soft drinks
market.