Nine in ten people in Northern Ireland say they struggle to stay hydrated – a striking new finding that suggests thirst is far more common than most of us would admit. The revelation comes from a BOOST Water+ hydration survey of more than 500 people across NI, which paints a clear picture of busy lives, blurred hydration habits and a growing need for simple, enjoyable ways to drink more water.
Following the shocking revelation that 90% of people in NI struggle to stay hydrated, BOOST is shaking up hydration with the launch of BOOST Water+, a new zero-sugar water range featuring four electrolytes (magnesium, chloride, zinc and sodium) plus added vitamins including B12, B6 and B3.
Lisa McKenna, Brand Director, AG Barr, owners of BOOST, said: “We’re excited to introduce BOOST Water+, a zero-sugar electrolyte water with bold flavours and added vitamins. BOOST Water+ reflects our commitment to making hydration simple and enjoyable, and we’re confident it will help people stay refreshed throughout the day.”
The survey suggests many people are counting the wrong things as “hydration.” More than half of respondents said they count drinks like tea, coffee, milk, squash and fizzy drinks as hydration. While many of these do contribute fluid, they don’t come with the same hydration-led functional benefits as an electrolyte water, and some can also include added sugar or stimulants like caffeine.
The research also reveals how quickly hydration slips when life gets hectic. A clear pattern emerged: hydration doesn’t usually fall apart at breakfast or bedtime — it falls apart when the day gets busy. The most common moments people forget to drink enough were the mid-afternoon slump, during busy workdays and first thing in the morning.
Taste is another major obstacle. A third of respondents said they don’t like plain water, but almost everyone said they’d be more likely to drink water if it tasted great — which helps explain why “I’ll drink more water” is one of the most common daily intentions that rarely becomes a daily habit.
Lisa continued: “The research shows that 99% of people are more likely to drink water if it tastes great, and that’s exactly what BOOST Water+ is designed to deliver. Our new flavours are Cherry, Citrus, and Strawberry & Peach, and we’re not just adding flavour -we’re creating a drink that helps bridge the gap between plain water and drinks people reach for when they want something more.”
The snapshot also highlights a telling trend in what people reach for first most days. Water remains the top choice, but coffee is also a major go-to, and a notable number of respondents said they reach for an energy drink first — a sign that for many, the day starts with a caffeine hit.
When people do realise they’ve slipped, it’s usually because they’re already feeling it. The most common warning signs were dry mouth, headache and low energy. The biggest barriers to drinking more water were simple and familiar too: forgetting, not liking plain water, and being too busy.
Even when people want to hydrate, it’s not always easy. The moments respondents struggled most to stay hydrated were on the go, at work, and even at home — basically everywhere real life happens.
BOOST is encouraging consumers to treat hydration like a realistic daily habit and to build in simple “drink check-ins” across the day before tiredness, headaches or dry mouth kick in.
Find out more at boostdrinks.com.
BOOST Water+ Hydration Habits Questionnaire. Total respondents: 505.
