I often tell my kids to drink plenty of water and lead by example, so why do they still go for the can of coke (Zero) because they tell me this has no sugar?

It’s not just the power of advertising or peer pressure that makes the can the more attractive option it does actually taste nice and is addictive.

Don’t get me wrong I love the taste of water but it is variable dependant on where it’s come from, tap, or branded water and how long it’s been in your water bottle.

What concerns me is the endorsement these drinks receive from sports people and professionals. Coca Cola was one of the prime sponsors of the 2012 Olympic Games and a 500ml bottle of coke has 13 teaspoons or 53 grams of sugar. The government’s scientific advisory committee on nutrition suggests we should limit intake of sugar to 5 grams a day or less.

With the latest figures available concerning type two diabetes increasing in this country shouldn’t we be trying to educate people and put a health warning on fizzy drinks similar to cigarettes?

Keeping hydrated even when you’re not exercising is vitally important to maintain normal body function, 60% of our body weight is water and 73% of our brain is water. We lose fluid through normal body functions but also through the skin and our breath. Just a loss of 1 -2 % of body fluid body weight can cause impairment of cognitive reasoning, physical performance and concentration. The European Food Safety Authority recommend we take on 2.5 litres of water for men and 2 litres of water for women through drinks and food, with about 70% coming from the former.

You don’t need to buy expensive bottled waters as there’s no evidence to suggest that they are any healthier than normal tap water, it’s just tap water quality and taste varies by region. But it’s not going to kill you.  Hydration is important to wellbeing.