DWRF Submission #3 to the 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee

 

July 11, 2014

Alice H. Lichtenstein, D.Sc., Subcommittee 2 Chair/Vice Chair Rep, 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee

Anna Maria Siega-Riz, PhD, RD, Chair, 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee

 

RE: Water is Essential to a Healthful Diet/Addressing Subcommittee 2: Dietary Patterns, Foods and Nutrients, and Health Outcomes

 

Dear Drs. Lichtenstein and Siega-Riz:

The Drinking Water Research Foundation (DWRF) is an independent, not-for-profit, 501(C)(3) foundation that sponsors scientific research that addresses drinking water issues, including the health benefits associated with proper hydration. As the 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) considers the essential elements of a healthy diet, it will certainly conclude that water consumption is critical to healthy living. The 2010 Dietary Guidelines recognized the benefits of water consumption and we urge the 2015 DGAC to continue to stress the importance of water in a healthy diet.

In our previous comments, accessible HERE, we addressed the positive influence of water consumption and hydration on physiological performance. Additionally, our comments highlighted National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data showing that Americans are not drinking enough water and that the consumption of sugary beverages is linked to obesity and cardiovascular disease.

DWRF believes that for Americans to drink more water, all sources of water – tap, filtered and bottled — should be promoted. Indeed, given that more than half of the water consumed by Americans is bottled water (according to Beverage Marketing Corporation), language that excludes bottled water, such as drink “freely accessible water,” is counterproductive. Sometimes free tap water is not available. Therefore, qualifying water as “free” can limit people from choosing the healthiest, calorie-free drink available, in whatever form suits their circumstances at the moment.

Thank you for considering these comments. If we can provide any additional information, please contact me.

Sincerely,
Jack West
DWRF Chairman