by Fern Shaw | Mar 13, 2025 | water cooler, water cooler, Water Coolers, water dispenser
Our kidneys carry a very weighty responsibility in our bodies – as organs, they are one of the biggest multi-taskers we have – they are responsible for a myriad of functions – primarily:
- To remove waste and extra fluid.
- Control blood pressure.
- Make red blood cells.
- Keep bones healthy (Vitamin D production) and
- To control pH levels.
As our kidneys consist of 79% water it becomes more apparent of how crucial they are to keeping our systems running smoothly.
To elaborate: Water helps the kidneys remove wastes from your blood in the form of urine. Water also helps keep your blood vessels open so that blood can travel freely to your kidneys and deliver essential nutrients to them. But if you become dehydrated, then it is more difficult for this delivery system to work. Mild dehydration can make you feel tired and can impair normal bodily functions. Severe dehydration can lead to kidney damage, so it is important to drink enough when you work or exercise hard.
What may not be that apparent though is experiencing pain in the kidneys is often mistaken for back pain, which can be why we may not always realise that our kidneys are water deficient and are unable to function at optimal level.
That’s why it’s important to maintain good drinking water habits as this often is the simplest method towards ensuring good kidney health.
Due to the complex nature of our body’s kidney’s function, it’s always good to monitor your water consumption and to be ‘water wise.’
One of the first indications you may be dehydrated can easily be seen in the colour of your urine. If you’re sufficiently hydrated, your urine will be light yellow or close to colourless. The darker yellow your urine is, the more dehydrated you are.
Another reason to maintain sufficient water intake is this practise can help reduce the likelihood of both kidney stones and urinary tract infections (UTIs). Kidney stones form less easily when there is sufficient water available to prevent stone-forming crystals from sticking together. Water helps dissolve the antibiotics used to treat urinary tract infections, making them more effective. Drinking enough water also helps produce more urine, which helps to flush out infection-causing bacteria.
At AquAid we take the business of proper hydration seriously, from several perspectives:
We’re constantly working to ensure that our customers are supplied with water dispensers that perfectly match their drinking water requirements.
We also provide re-usable water bottles to schools to encourage healthy hydration habits among the children (and staff!)
We understand the importance of helping others gain access to clean drinking water. Which is one of the reasons that, for over 24 years, AquAid have donated funds to charity. The charities we support implement sustainable water projects for people in need. To date, we have donated over £22 million funding vital access to potable water for more than four million people.
by Fern Shaw | Feb 27, 2025 | aquaid, water cooler, Water Coolers, water dispenser
We’re here to help. Yes, of course, we’re in the business of providing you with cool, chilled and hot drinking water at your premises, whether that’s at your office; warehouse; site; practice; university; college or school, however, we’re also concerned with ensuring that you drink enough water to keep yourself well hydrated throughout the day, which is why we’ve written this ‘Best Practices Guide’ for you:
Step One
Educate: Having everybody in the workspace on board is the most crucial component in a hydration plan. Educate yourself about the negative effects and downsides resulting from drinking too many fizzy drinks and caffeinated drinks instead of water. Use visual reminders – e.g., put up a poster illustrating good hydration techniques; these are a great way to continually reinforce to you the importance of drinking water.
The benefits of drinking sufficient water are manifold.
Step Two
Assessment: The best way to assess your hydration status, given the variables of body mass, work routines, and other personal and physical aspects, is to monitor urine colour. When you are drinking enough water, your body is in balance and your urine will be a pale straw yellow colour (Hydrated). When you haven’t drunk enough water, your kidneys try to save as much water as they can and causing your urine to be darker in colour (Dehydrated). Chat with your local AquAid branch about our dehydration charts, which clearly illustrate the difference between being hydrated to mildly and severely hydrated.
Step Three
Implementation: The most critical part of the best practices guide is to ensure that drinking water is readily accessible and is appealing to drink. Keeping a refillable water bottle or glass on your desk or in your workspace is a helpful reminder to keep drinking water while you’re at work. If you’re in a smaller workspace, perhaps you and your colleagues can request that the water cooler be placed in an area that you can either see from your desk or that you are sure to walk past more than once a day.
Conclusion: Encouraging hydration during the workday can have a significant impact on your own overall performance and well-being. This requires a commitment from you, so keep up to date on the positive effects of staying hydrated.
Contact us at AquAid today – we’d be delighted to assist you, advising which water cooler dispenser is best suited for you based on your requirements.
by Fern Shaw | Jan 28, 2025 | aquaid, water cooler, Water Coolers
It was the International Day of Education recently. The day is aimed at advocating for quality education and equal access to education for all.
Numerous activities promoting the significance of and highlighting how important education is were held across the UK.
What may be surprising is that something as simple as drinking water can significantly impact a child’s education, as staying hydrated is crucial for cognitive function, focus, and overall well-being, all of which play a vital role in a child’s ability to learn.
How does hydration affect learning?
Improved concentration and focus. When children are dehydrated, their brains don’t function at their best. Dehydration can lead to fatigue, headaches, and difficulty concentrating, making it harder for them to pay attention in class and absorb information.
Enhanced memory and cognitive function. Studies have shown that proper hydration can improve memory, critical thinking skills, and overall cognitive function. This means that well-hydrated children are better equipped to tackle challenging subjects and retain information.
Reduced illness and absenteeism. Dehydration can weaken the immune system, making children more susceptible to illness. By staying hydrated, children are less likely to get sick, reducing the number of school days missed and ensuring they don’t fall behind in their studies.
Improved mood and behaviour. Dehydration can affect mood, leading to irritability and fatigue. When children are well-hydrated, they are more likely to be happy, alert, and engaged in their learning.
What can parents and educators do to encourage children to drink water?
Make water readily available. Ensure that children have access to clean water throughout the day, both at home and at school.
Set a good example. Children are more likely to drink water if they see their peers, parents, and teachers doing the same.
Encourage children to bring water bottles to school*. This allows them to stay hydrated throughout the day.
Making a conscious effort to ensure that children are well-hydrated is a simple method that can help create a more conducive learning environment and help them reach their full potential.
Installing an AquAid water cooler or water fountains in schools provides students and staff alike with direct access to a constant source of drinking water. All of which help create and instill better hydration habits.
AquAid also offer *free refillable drinking water bottles and free school posters to help keep water top of mind during the school day.
by Fern Shaw | Jan 16, 2025 | water cooler, water cooler, Water Coolers
Drinking water is essential for our physical health. It keeps us hydrated, helps our organs function properly and can even improve our skin. But can something as simple as drinking water help spark inspiration? While it might sound far-fetched, there’s a compelling link between hydration and cognitive function, which can indirectly influence our ability to be inspired.
Our brains are about 75% water. When we’re dehydrated, even mildly, our cognitive functions can take a hit. Studies have shown that dehydration can lead to:
Reduced concentration and focus. It becomes harder to stay on task and delve deep into thoughts.
Impaired memory. Both short-term and long-term memory can be affected, making it difficult to recall information or connect ideas.
Increased fatigue and brain fog. Feeling sluggish and mentally foggy can stifle creativity and make it harder to generate new ideas.
When we’re properly hydrated, our brains function more efficiently. This can translate to clearer thinking, improved focus and a greater ability to process information, all of which are conducive to inspiration. Inspiration often strikes when we’re in a state of mental clarity and openness.
While drinking water alone might not magically bestow inspiration, it plays a crucial role in supporting optimal brain function and creating an environment where inspiration is more likely to strike. By staying hydrated, we can enhance our cognitive abilities, improve our mood and increase our energy levels, all of which can contribute to a more inspired and creative state of mind. So, next time you’re seeking inspiration, remember to refill your water bottle or water glass at your water cooler and drink up – it might just be the spark you need.
by Fern Shaw | Jan 13, 2025 | water boiler, water cooler
Yes, I am aware that’s a Christmas song. Yes, I’m aware we’re well into the first month of 2025. Thing of it is, it’s a great song and despite the festive season being a fond but distant memory, I’m still singing it inside my head. Also, with the current weather we’re having, it has a few lyrics that are quite applicable:
“Oh, the weather outside is frightful …” “But the fire is so delightful” “Man it doesn’t show signs of stoppin’”
“And I brought me some corn for poppin’”
Popcorn is good; fibre rich and fine to eat. Just try not to go overboard on the salt or butter.
If you’re the adventurous type, braving the snow and building snowmen, more power to you! But remember that even in cold weather, it’s easy to get dehydrated.
A few things that can contribute to dehydration of which you may not be aware are:
Physical activity. Even indoor exercise can make you sweat.
Not wearing a hat. This can lead to heat loss and dehydration.
Reduced water intake. You might naturally drink less water when it’s cold.
No matter how you’re enjoying (or enduring!) the winter weather, staying hydrated is key. To help you keep drinking water, hot or cold, top of mind, there’s a simple solution. Install a water cooler or hot water boiler from AquAid. You’re most welcome.
