Irish adults are not drinking enough water, which could be affecting their health, a new survey has revealed.

According to the findings, almost nine in 10 (86%) adults are not drinking the recommended eight glasses of water per day.

Furthermore, the survey suggests a poor understanding of how much water should be consumed, with over half of people believing they are drinking the right amount when they are not.

The survey of over 1,000 adults, which was carried out in March, found that older people are drinking the least amount of water - around 3.5 glasses per day. Younger adults aged between 18 and 24 consume about five glasses per day.

Over half of people (56%) said that they tend to forget to consume water, while almost one-third (31%) said they think the drink is too bland.

Commenting on the findings, consultant dietitian, Sarah Keogh, said that it is ‘alarming' that so many people are not drinking enough water, and ‘even more shocking' that many are unaware that they should be drinking more.

"Not being hydrated can have significant repercussions for physical health and cognitive functioning. It is extremely easy to increase your consumption by just following a few simple tips, and you won't believe the difference it will make," she commented.

She recommends the following tips:

-Get into the habit of adding one extra glass of water to your routine each day. Do this gradually to get used to drinking eight glasses per day
-Pace yourself, taking small sips every 20 minutes rather than trying to consume a pint of water in one go
-Keep water beside your bed and try drinking it as soon as you get up. The body can lose a lot of water while sleeping so this will ensure you start the day rehydrated
-If you find water too bland, add a squirt of lemon or lime, or something else like mint leaves, to add flavour
-Keep water close, e.g. in your bag, in the car, as you are more likely to drink it if it is in easy reach
-Try herbal teas
-Eat water-based foods, such as melon, watermelon, cucumber and oranges.
-Save your water for half way through or the end of your meal. Chewing food is an important part of digestion and using water to help food go down may lead to you missing this step
-Make sure you are well hydrated if out in the heat or exercising. If you are working up a sweat, you will need to increase your intake of fluids.

The survey was carried out by REDC on behalf of Centra, which is motivating its customers to drink more water by reducing shelf space for fizzy drinks in its stores and promoting healthier alternatives.