Scientists continue to recommend that adults drink around 1.5 liters of water or suitable drinks every day in order to maintain an optimal fluid balance. This amount should be increased accordingly during physical exertion, heat, sport or fever. Various statistical surveys in Germany all describe a trend towards increasing consumption of mineral waters and soft drinks in recent years.
Reconfirmed recommendations for warm summer days
High outside temperatures mean that sweating and an increased need for water are inevitable. In 2017, the German Nutrition Society (DGE ) continues to recommend that healthy adults should drink up to 3 liters of water or more in extreme heat. Different research institutions in Germany continue to agree on the best thirst quenchers. In summer, drinking water and mineral water should be at the top of the list of calorie-free thirst quenchers. Unsweetened herbal and fruit teas are a good alternative. Homemade juice spritzers are also considered suitable and healthy thirst quenchers. Mixtures of one part 100% fruit or vegetable juice and three parts drinking or mineral water are nutritionally recommended. The trend towards infused water can also be seen as positive.
Unsuitable thirst quenchers: watch out at a young age!
Nutritionists and doctors agree that drinks containing caffeine, such as green or black teas and coffee, should not be used as thirst quenchers. The German Nutrition Society considers the increasing range of industrial soft drinks to be critical. These are often highly sweetened and contain unnecessary additives. Lemonades, ready-made iced teas, sweet coffee drinks, fruit juice drinks, fruit nectars, bubble teas and energy drinks should all be the exception rather than the rule. Otherwise, they promote obesity, tooth decay and other diseases in the long term, at any age. Too often, children are also tempted by caffeinated mixed coffee drinks, cola drinks or non-alcoholic mixed drinks that taste like beer, such as draught soda. Adults should be careful here so that drinking behavior and taste preferences are not shaped in an unhealthy way in the long term, even at a young age. The National Consumption Study II estimates that the consumption of sugary soft drinks by teenagers and young adults in particular is far too high.
Developments in mineral water and soft drinks
The German Nutrition Society produces a new nutrition report every four years. The latest 13th DGE Nutrition Report from 2016 shows that mineral water and non-alcoholic soft drinks are becoming increasingly popular in Germany. Compared to previous DGE studies, the proportion of these thirst quenchers per consumer per year has increased by more than 1 liter. According to the study, every German citizen drinks an average of just under 150 liters of mineral water per year. According to Statista GmbH, an average of 148.2 liters of mineral and medicinal water were drunk per consumer in Germany in 2016. Since the 1970s, consumption has shown a clear upward trend until 2015. In 2015, consumption was at its highest ever level of 149 liters per capita. It remains to be seen how the figures will develop by the end of 2017. According to the DGE, per capita annual consumption of soft drinks such as fruit spritzers, lemonades and fruit juice drinks is almost 125 liters. The German Non-Alcoholic Beverages Association (wafg ) took a closer look at the soft drinks group in 2016 and found that within this group, the total consumption of sugary soft drinks per capita fell by 3.8% compared to 2015. This and the increased consumption of mineral water can ultimately be seen as positive for health on average.
Simple drinking rule: If you want to drink healthily, drink naturally & simply! Water is the simplest and cheapest choice. Avoid adding sugar, flavorings or other additives to herbal and fruit teas. Even better: harvest herbs and fruits yourself, dry them if necessary and infuse them fresh.
