The climate crisis inevitably leads to higher average temperatures and increased heat days in summer. As a result, the issue of heat and its health effects is gaining in importance. Not only for senior citizens, but also for other vulnerable groups such as chronically ill or immunocompromised people as well as children, the health risk increases due to insufficient liquid consumption. The guideline for a healthy adult person is about two litres per day, in hot weather even 3 to 4 litres.

The body of an adult consists of about 65% water. For seniors aged 75-80, it is still about 50%, and for newborns it is even about 80%. Water is needed in many ways in the body. Among other things, it is a component of all cells and body fluids, acts as a transport and solvent for nutrients, e.g. via the blood to the organs, and metabolic waste products, e.g. excretion via the kidneys.

Through breathing, sweat, urine and stool, an average adult loses over two litres of water per day. When exercising and especially in hot temperatures, water loss is even higher. This deficit must be made up promptly, otherwise dehydration will occur.

Remind seniors to drink

Those who drink too little water risk harmful consequences after only two to four days. This is because the body can no longer sufficiently eliminate harmful substances when it lacks water. Even before that, performance decreases, skin and mucous membranes dry out, and the effect of medication can also diminish. In addition to dry mouth and constipation, there is also a risk of circulatory and kidney problems, confusion, even unconsciousness, and even life-threatening conditions.

Normally, thirst is the first thing that comes to mind. But older people in particular often forget to drink enough because their sense of thirst does not reliably remind them to drink. Seniors should therefore drink at least 1.3 litres, preferably 1.5 litres of fluid per day as a guideline.

In order to remember to drink regularly, it is helpful to provide drinks at frequented places in the home; for example, in the kitchen, on the living room table or at the workplace. Drinks should also be served with every meal.

Children should drink before they get thirsty

Because of their smaller body mass, children have fewer opportunities to compensate for thirsty periods. A lack of fluids therefore becomes noticeable more quickly. Therefore, regular and sufficient drinking is especially important for children.

Between one and four years of age, about 800 ml per day is recommended. Between four and seven years of age, children should drink about one litre per day. 10-13 year olds need about 1.2 litres of fluid from drinks every day. However, sweetened drinks such as soft drinks should remain the exception, especially for children, because of the high sugar content.

It depends on the quality of the water

Regardless of age, the ideal thirst quencher is water. Since humans are dependent on drinking water, it is obvious to pay attention to the quality of the water. Considering how much water we consume during our lifetime – 60,000 to 100,000 litres – even the smallest amounts of pollutants can accumulate in our bodies, have negative effects and harm our health.

Water quality can vary depending on the region. For example, in rural areas, nitrates and pesticides may be more prevalent due to agriculture, while in urban areas, pharmaceutical residues and microplastics may be more prevalent. Water suppliers are therefore obliged to strictly control and treat tap water. However, there are numerous contaminants for which the German Drinking Water Ordinance (TrinkwV) does not provide for limit values or controls. These include, for example, drug residues and hormone-like substances or microplastics. Many pollutants cannot or cannot sufficiently be eliminated in sewage treatment plants. Also, the quality of drinking water is only ensured until it enters the household piping system, then the homeowner is responsible.

Better drinking water with Seccua water filters

With a Seccua water filter, pathogens and pollutants can be largely removed from tap water. Seccua water filters not only provide a better smell and taste, but also healthier water. In addition to filtering solids such as sand, suspended particles, rust particles, asbestos fibres, microplastics, they also reduce dissolved substances such as drug residues, hormone-like substances and pesticides. In contrast, Seccua water filters leave minerals such as calcium and magnesium completely in the water, which are crucial for a natural water taste.