The Government’s healthy food revolution is coming – and hydration must be at the centre

By Kinvara Carey, General Manager of the Natural Source Waters Association.

This weekend the Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting announced plans for a new health standard to make an average basket shop at a supermarket healthier. It’s positive to see government and businesses working together on this issue, with business given the freedom to meet the standard however works best for them.

Coming ahead of the 10-Year Health Plan expected later this week it’s clear this government recognise that diets and healthy habits can have a significant impact on reducing obesity levels.

However, there is a blind spot in the nation’s health habits with many people overlooking drinks as a major contributor to sugar and calorie consumption. Our new research found that 41% of 25-44 year olds agreed that ‘as long as I am eating healthily it doesn’t matter what I drink,’ highlighting a significant gap when it comes to healthy hydration choices. 1 in 3 adults admitted drinking just two glasses or less of water a day, whilst more than 30% in the same age group consume three or more full-sugar or energy drinks daily. It is clear that something needs to change.

Despite growing awareness around the importance of healthy lifestyles, only 1 in 10 people turn to the NHS for guidance on healthy drinking whilst 1 in 5 admit that they never seek out any hydration guidance at all. Encouragingly, 2 in 5 said they would be more likely to choose water instead of other drinks if they were reminded of its health benefits.

This lack of awareness of the importance of healthy hydration runs contrary to the UK’s fight against obesity and poor health outcomes. Yet, despite being the healthiest choice that contains no sugar or calories, water is rarely prioritised in government campaigns, national food strategies, or NHS guidance.

The findings arrive at a time when the UK is grappling with a growing obesity epidemic. With obesity-related diseases costing the NHS billions and contributing to more than 30,000 deaths annually and a recent study by the Royal Society for Public Health showing childhood obesity is set to worsen in 90% of the country, preventative health interventions have never been more urgent. As heatwaves like the one this week become more common, healthy hydration must be at the centre of the public health response.

That’s why the NSWA, along with our members including Highland Spring Group, Nestlé Waters & Premium Beverages, Danone UK & Ireland and Shepley Spring, are launching our manifesto calling for healthy hydration to be fully integrated into public health policy, including the upcoming National Food Strategy.

Our manifesto, Flowing Forward: Tackling the Hydration Gap to Help Transform Health Outcomes puts forward a case for Government to take action on three key areas:

• Healthy hydration to be included in public health messaging and policy, including the National Food Strategy.
• Positive incentives to support consumers to make healthier drink choices.
• A nationwide awareness campaign to position hydration alongside nutrition in public consciousness.

We launched the campaign in Parliament this week supported by Mary Glindon MP, Chair of the APPG on Obesity and over the coming weeks will be bringing our message to MPs across the country. Drinking more healthily is something everyone can do to improve their health – the Government should do all it can to promote it.