Health Promotion by Adequate Water Intake and Assessment of Beverages Consumption Among University Students

The behaviour regarding the fluid intake in adolescents and young adults is an important issue, since these data may provide information about the health consciousness of the next generation. Inappropriate daily beverages intake for a long period can have adverse effects on human health. Positive effects of maintenance of good hydration are known in the prevention of chronic diseases like urolithiasis, bladder or colon cancer, hypertension, obesity, or constipation. In the present study, we examine the various factors of beverage intake by university students. Data from 3020 students of the Czech and Slovak universities were collected in 2016–2018 to evaluate their daily fluid intake and the characteristics of beverage consumptions. We found that gender, country, frequency of daily water intake, nutrition literacy, and some other factors influence whether a student reports having a daily water intake of more than 1.5 litres. Our respondents have preferences for beverages, based on taste and health effects primarily, prices and availability were secondary. We present the suggestions for a more balanced beverage intake for the studied age group.