10 ways to increase your water intake

More than two thirds of the human body consists of water. Keeping topped up with fluids helps our body function effectively, from flushing out toxins to aiding digestion. With the unpredictable British weather, it’s hard to know how much water to drink to ensure the right level of hydration, but the European recommendation is at least eight glasses of water per day. Aqua Pura has provided a list of the top 10 ways to increase your water intake:

1 Add fruit slices to water bottles for a refreshing, naturally fruity taste. Lemon and lime wedges add a great citrus twist, helping to make water more appealing.

2 Keep a diary of how much water is consumed per 24-hour period. By tracking the daily intake, it highlights how little you are drinking in comparison to the daily recommended amount.

3 Technology plays a large part in society, so set a reminder on your phone or email account to encourage water intake throughout the day. There are also loads of free apps on the market to help you keep track of your intake.

4 Why not swap morning cups of tea to hot water with freshly squeezed orange, rich in Vitamin C, giving you a tasty pick-me-up?

5 Encourage every member of the family to get involved so that you get into the habit of drinking more water together. Get your colleagues onboard too.

6 Embrace your inner child and add vibrant, colourful straws to water bottles. You’re likely to sip more when using a straw than just sipping straight from the glass.

7 Drink water before and after every meal; it’s a great way to increase water consumption as part of your daily routine.

8 Bring a bottle of water everywhere. Having a bottle in your handbag, car, backpack and placed beside the bed can increase water consumption; it also enables you to keep a track of how much you’re drinking.

9 If you love fizzy drinks, try to gradually cut down by drinking water for half of all your drinks, then eventually one fizzy drink per day and then one per week. Once you start cutting down, your taste buds will change and eventually you won’t need the same sweetness.

10 Add some sparkle to the day with sparkling water, which has all the same benefits, but a little more fizz.