Staying Hydrated
Medical research, published by
Harvard Health, lists the many health benefits of drinking water: It carries
nutrients and oxygen to your cells; flushes bacteria from your bladder; aids
digestion; prevents constipation; helps normalise blood pressure; stabilises
the heartbeat; cushions joints and protects organs and tissues.
According to the Natural
Hydration Council, being properly hydrated is associated with better mental
performance and cognition. It can also help to combat tiredness and fatigue. All
these benefits combine to achieve greater productivity at work.
The Health and Safety Executive
recommends employees should drink around half a pint (250ml) of water every 15
minutes when working hard in hot conditions. However, this may not be practical
in the workplace, especially if the employee is wearing protective clothing
that makes it hard to drink, or if the business’s hygiene rules prevent
consuming food or drink while working. In this case, the HSE suggests drinking
500ml of water an hour before work commences and a further 500ml of water
during each rest period.
The NHS recommends women should
drink eight 200ml glasses of water and men should drink ten glasses each day.
This advice is echoed by the British Nutrition Foundation, which says water is
the best beverage to drink to keep hydrated.
You can find the original source of this information here.
At least 5 A day – What does that mean in practice
The Guardian reported in January 2024, that only 1 in 3
adults in the UK and Ireland eat 5 or more daily portions of fruit and
vegetables. A higher proportion than any other nation in the developed world.
Why should we meet our 5 a day?
·
They're an excellent source of dietary fibre,
which can help to maintain a healthy gut and prevent constipation and other
digestion problems. A diet high in fibre can also reduce your risk of bowel
cancer.
·
They can help to reduce your risk of heart
disease, stroke and some types of cancer.
·
Fruit and vegetables contribute to a healthy,
balanced diet.