Importance of hydration for sport performance highlighted by evian® at The Evian Championship

Online hydration calculator means everyone can calculate their own hydration needs

Dubai, UAE, 22 September 2013 – evian®'s links with global sporting events, such as the recently-concluded Evian Championship golf tournament, shine the spotlight on the importance of hydration as a natural aid to physical and mental performance. Essential to any athlete's training programme, ensuring sufficient hydration is crucial not only for physical performance, but more surprisingly for mental wellbeing by helping to manage stress and concentration while avoiding fatigue!

If you are thirsty you are dehydrated
“Remarkable fact – the body contains around 60% of water!” says Dr Laurent Le Bellego, Head of Hydration and Health Affairs at Danone Research. “This level needs to be maintained to ensure day to day functions, as well as renewal of the water content in cells, particularly in the skin and muscles. For athletes, dehydration by even a small percentage affects sporting performance and increases the risk of cramps and heat exhaustion. Other unwanted effects can include visual impairment, headaches, dizziness, fatigue and difficulty in concentrating. Pure water such as evian® is ideal, as with its low level of mineral salts, it is quickly absorbed into the body and its cells.”

“Hydration is not only a question of drinking when you are thirsty. If you're thirsty, you're in fact dehydrated,” adds Melissa Reid, international golfing professional and competitor at The Evian Championship this year. “During a tournament I really need to be at 100% physically and mentally - and a perfect hydration contributes to this. I've also learnt how important hydration is to help me focus on my game.”

Essential for physical and mental wellbeing
The importance of hydration for physical performance is well known - but studies show that drinking water is also important for optimal mental wellbeing. The brain, like all organs, needs adequate hydration to function properly and perform at its best. Water as a mental wellbeing management tool is thus particularly important for those playing precision sports such as golf or tennis.

“Hydration is not only important for physical health, but for mental wellbeing, to keep at the top of your game” says Melissa Reid. “Drinking water reduces fatigue and improves concentration. This is essential for all golfers, especially when taking a critical shot, so I always keep plenty of water on hand. The notion of ‘Play' in adult life also has the power to bring a wide variety of health benefits. Enjoying life and staying healthy are not exclusive to each other – that's the message of evian® Live Young - after all, we know the healing power of laughter!”
Online hydration calculator
An adult with only a moderately active lifestyle still requires on average around 2 litres of drinking water per day. However, everyone has their own individual requirements which vary according to lifestyle and level of activity. These needs can be calculated at any time, with a fun and easy-to-use online calculator.

By answering just a few short questions, the hydration calculator at http://www.danone.co.uk/Howhydratedareyou/ instantly determines the quantity of water needed to satisfy individual requirements.

As part of its campaign to promote the importance of healthy hydration, evian® launched a limited edition water bottle for The Evian Championship golf tournament, which took place earlier this month between the 12 to 15 September at the Evian Resort Golf Club.