Why adequate hydration matters – especially in cooler months

Why adequate hydration matters - especially in cooler months

International Bottled Water Association | News Release | December 16, 2025

Alexandria, VA - Proper hydration is critical during winter months, especially since people are less likely to feel thirsty at this colder time of year and may therefore consume fewer hydrating drinks, says the International Bottled Water Association (IBWA).

Why does this matter? Because dehydration affects mental clarity and immune function, both of which are also critically impacted in the winter months from the cooler, less humid air that provides perfect conditions for germs to spread more actively, and the reduced number of daylight hours that naturally makes people feel more tired.

In addition, dry air in cooler months makes matters worse, as Julie Metos, a registered dietitian at the University of Utah, explains that the body continues to lose water through perspiration and breathing, and that is less noticeable in winter months compared to warmer weather.

"Maintaining adequate hydration at this time of year is tricky because people tend to feel less thirsty in winter months, so they drink fewer fluids, which compounds the risk of health issues due to dehydration," says IBWA Vice President of Communications Jill Culora. "And the warning signs of dehydration can be subtle or not at all apparent. This is why it's important to maintain good, healthy hydration habits year-round by regularly consuming water - from the tap, filtered, or bottled - throughout the day."

When fighting a cold, the body's water needs increase for several reasons. For example, a slight fever raises fluid requirements, and adequate hydration helps thin mucous in the nasal passages and lungs, making symptoms more manageable, says Metos. Traditional advice to drink plenty of fluids when sick has solid scientific backing -- both through drinking lots of fluids and using a humidifier to add moisture to airways. Being properly hydrated can help people feel noticeably better sooner.

People should avoid waiting until they are thirsty to drink because they're already dehydrated at that point. A 1-2% loss in body weight can affect a person's mood, energy level, and mental awareness, yet they might not realize that dehydration is to blame. Drinking water can help you achieve a normal level of hydration and thus improve mood, energy, and cognition. Drinking adequate amounts of water in winter also helps your skin, as cold temperatures leave it dry and parched.

"Because people are less likely to feel thirsty in the winter, it's important to be mindful about regularly consuming water in order to stay well-hydrated throughout the day," says Culora. "If you drink a lot of water during the summer, that's a good habit you should maintain during the colder months of the year."

"It's also important to be mindful of your loved ones' drinking habits, particularly older adults, who often intentionally drink less so they make fewer trips to the restroom," says Culora.

"Bottled water is the perfect beverage choice during the holidays because it can help those who want to avoid or moderate calories, caffeine, sugar, artificial colors or flavors, alcohol, and other ingredients during this festive-and often indulgent-season," says Culora.

"Whether as a replacement for high-calorie beverages or as a nonalcoholic drink option, bottled water offers consumers a refreshing, hydrating, and convenient beverage that provides consistent safety, quality, and good taste. And with the variety of types available - from spring and purified, to mineral and sparking - bottled water offers consumers many choices to suit their specific needs and preferences."

"Throughout the year, bottled water is an excellent choice for healthy hydration - helping consumers who want to stay hydrated or avoid calories, caffeine, sugar intake, artificial colors or flavors, and other ingredients," says Culora. "Consumers continue to increasingly choose refreshing, healthy, hydrating, and convenient beverages such as bottled water because it delivers reliable safety, quality, and flavor."

For more information about bottled water, visit IBWA's website: https://www.bottledwater.org.

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Media Contact:
Jill Culora
[email protected]
703.647.4609

The International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) is the authoritative source of information about all types of bottled waters, including spring, mineral, purified, artesian, and sparkling. Founded in 1958, IBWA's membership includes U.S. and international bottlers, distributors, and suppliers. IBWA is committed to working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which regulates bottled water as a packaged food product, to set comprehensive and stringent standards for safe, high-quality bottled water products.

In addition to FDA regulations, IBWA member bottlers must adhere to the IBWA Bottled Water Code of Practice, which mandates additional standards and practices that in some cases are more stringent than federal and state regulations. A key feature of the IBWA Bottled Water Code of Practice is a mandatory annual plant inspection by an independent, third-party organization.

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