Children in Poland are dehydrated. This is the result of the latest research by scientists from the Jagiellonian University. Almost half of the students drink far too little. Sweet tea is the dominant beverage preferred by children.
Researchers from the Collegium Medicum of the Jagiellonian University in Kraków examined anthropometric parameters and the hydration status of schoolchildren. The results aren’t good. It turns out that almost half of them are dehydrated. The students mainly drink tea with sugar, which does not fit into any of the current recommendations on healthy eating.
It is surprising that, contrary to popular belief, children do not drink a lot of juice. Research shows that they drink too little of them. Only 22 percent. of the surveyed students eat 100% fruit juices every day, with the average daily consumption of juice being about half a glass. Juices are not a substitute for fresh fruit and vegetables, but they could be more beneficial for hydration. Certainly, they would be a better choice than the sweet tea that students eat most often.
The study also examined the consumption of vegetables and fruit among children. Here, too, the results are not satisfactory. It turned out that more than half of the students did not eat the recommended five portions of fruit and vegetables a day.
What and how much should you drink?
Fluid requirements depend on many factors. Body weight, level of physical activity, environmental temperature, diet and health are important. It is difficult to clearly indicate how much a person should drink. Sometimes it will be 1 liter a day, and otherwise 3 liters. It is worth knowing that the human body does not store water. It is necessary to replenish it regularly.
The daily fluid balance includes not only drinks, but also soups or some food products containing a lot of water (mainly fruits and vegetables). A varied diet is important to stay healthy. Drinks should also be varied. In addition to water, it is also worth drinking freshly pressed fruit and vegetable juices, fruit and herbal teas or fermented milk products.
Standards and recommendations for daily water consumption according to the Food and Nutrition Institute
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