Dr. Water

Summer 2005

The Brita Water Research Institute is officially launched! Friends of the Institute gathered at the Hotel Sofetil in downtown Chicago on April 19, 2005 to celebrate the formal public announcement of BWRI. The roster of those in attendance was impressive, indeed, and included members of the Executive Board of Directors, representatives of the Health and Scientific Advisory Board, senior management of the donor company, officials of the City of Chicago, a representative of the American Diabetes Association, and a representative of the American Medical Association.

The launch celebration was convened by Mr. Greg Frank, Vice President - General Manager, Brita and Canada, who welcomed the guests and introduced me. After making a few remarks, I introduced Professor Paul Hunter, Chair of the Executive Board of Directors, and Professor Pierre Payment, Chair of the Health and Scientific Advisory Board. Both Professor Hunter and Professor Payment offered brief comments about the current state of water and health research and the potential of BWRI to contribute to the advancement of public health. It is clear that there is much work to be done to understand how drinking water can positively influence one’s health. Our mission is on target!

BWRI commissioned two public service announcements (PSA). We had an opportunity to view the PSAs at the conclusion of the launch, and they were very well received. You can find one of the PSAs on the home page of website. BWRI plans to produce a series of PSAs on drinking water and your health, each presenting ‘a water fact.'

Even though BWRI is a new organization, there are several important accomplishments to report. BWRI is collaborating with the American Diabetes Association and the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health, to co-fund a major study on the role of drinking water in the development of childhood obesity and the onset of childhood diabetes. The study which will begin in the fall of 2005 involves 600 school districts nationwide. This gives us a chance to begin to unravel the role that drinking water plays in the health of our nation’s children.

The National Academy of Science, Institute of Medicine, invited BWRI to join the Roundtable on Environmental Health Sciences, Research and Medicine. This is a very exciting opportunity to participate in national discussions of major, sensitive environmental issues with the federal government, industry and non profit organizations. Also, BWRI was invited to serve as a liaison to the Water Science and Technology Board (WSTB), National Research Council, The National Academies. "The board's objective is to improve the scientific and technological basis for resolving important questions and issues associated with the efficient management and use of water resources." I represented BWRI at the meeting of the WSTB on April 28.

These are very significant milestones, indicating national recognition, for BWRI, especially when we remember that BWRI was incorporated only a few months ago. Progress is rapid, and I look forward to an accelerated pace as we work to advance research on water and improve public health.

Best regards,

Jennie Ward Robinson, Ph.D.

Dear Mr. P.:

Thank you very much for an excellent question. The issue arises because guidance for the general public on the quantity of water needed per day is omitted from the newly released MyPyramid, as well as from the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, Department of Health and Human Services.

For many years, the recommendation of eight, eight ounce, glasses of water or fluid every day for good health has circulated in the popular press. There are research reports suggesting that Americans do not drink enough water, and there are conflicting statements about whether coffee, tea, and soft drinks can be counted toward the total. There are suggestions to drink when you are thirsty, and other statements that if you wait until you are thirsty, you are already dehydrating. It is very confusing for most of us.

The National Academy of Science, Food and Nutrition Board, recently published the Dietary Reference Intakes for Water, Potassium, Sodium, Chloride and Sulfate. As the National Academy of Science stated in its 2004 Report to Congress: "The report sets general recommendations for water intake based on detailed national data, which showed that women who appear to be adequately hydrated consume each day an average of approximately 2.7 liters (91 ounces) of total water from beverages and foods; men average approximately 3.7 liters (125 ounces) daily. About 80 percent of people's total water intake comes from drinking water and beverages -- including caffeinated beverages. The other 20 percent is derived from food.

While concerns have been raised that caffeine has a diuretic effect, available evidence indicates that this effect may be transient, and there is no convincing evidence that caffeine leads to cumulative total body water deficits, the report says. When it comes to meeting daily hydration needs, caffeinated beverages can contribute as much as non-caffeinated options." Based on this recent report, the average woman should consume the equivalent of 11 glasses (eight ounces each) of total water daily, while the average man should consume the equivalent of about 15.5 glasses daily. Two of these glasses for women and three for men are expected to come through foods.

More research is certainly required. We need better, more detailed population based information upon which recommendations for daily total water consumption can be made by gender, age, health and activity status. Additionally, we need better information regarding the daily requirements for water consumption for children, older people and people with specific acute and chronic illnesses. The relationship between daily water consumption and the prevention of specific diseases is a very important research area. For example, what is the relationship between water consumption at specific points in the life cycle and the development of obesity and diabetes? What is the relationship between water consumption and the onset of kidney stones? How is the intake of total water affected by nutritional status, i.e., vitamin and mineral intake? What is the impact of specific common medications on daily water intake requirements? As you can imagine, the research list is very long, and the potential for improving public health through a simple daily intervention (drinking enough water) is tremendous.

For best health, we need to maintain a healthy diet, limit consumption of alcohol, exercise regularly, and consume adequate amounts of water every day. It is clear that further research is needed on the relationship between drinking water and good health. The Brita Water Research Institute is committed to discovering answers to these questions.

Best wishes,
Dr. Water

Do you have a question about drinking water? Where it comes from? How it is cleaned? Why does it smell like chlorine? How much do you need to drink every day? Or, where to find information about your drinking water? "Dear Dr. Water" can help you. Send your question to dr.water@ipwr.org. Selected inquiries will be answered in the next issue of At Your Tap.