Chronic dehydration may be an overlooked factor affecting employee performance across UK workplaces, with new data suggesting it is contributing to fatigue, reduced concentration and declining productivity.
According to the 2025 UK National Hydration & Wellness Survey, 58% of adults in the UK are chronically dehydrated. Experts warn that many of the associated symptoms are being misattributed to stress, workload pressures or poor routine, rather than recognised as a basic health issue.
Impact on Employee Performance
The survey found that among chronically dehydrated individuals, 78% experience regular fatigue or sluggishness, while 71% report difficulty concentrating or “brain fog”. A further 62% suffer frequent headaches.
These symptoms align with NHS guidance on dehydration, which includes tiredness, dizziness, confusion and poor concentration — all of which can directly affect workplace performance and decision-making.
Research published in the British Journal of Nutrition also links mild dehydration with impaired vigilance and slower working memory, suggesting even low levels of dehydration can reduce cognitive efficiency during the working day.
Implications for Employers and HR Teams
The findings highlight a potential blind spot for employers and HR professionals focused on wellbeing strategies. While many organisations prioritise mental health and stress management, hydration is rarely addressed despite its clear link to cognitive performance.
Nearly half of UK adults (45%) believe tea, coffee or energy drinks count towards hydration, while 28% rely on caffeine to maintain productivity. This rises to 41% among workers aged 25 to 34, suggesting a growing reliance on short-term stimulants rather than sustainable health habits.
HR teams may need to consider whether workplace environments and cultures are inadvertently reinforcing these behaviours, particularly in high-pressure roles where fatigue is normalised.
A Preventable Workplace Issue
Longer-term health risks are also a concern. The National Kidney Foundation warns that chronic dehydration can contribute to kidney damage over time, underlining the importance of early intervention.
With 13% of respondents reporting ongoing struggles to maintain their health since the pandemic, there is increasing recognition that small, preventative measures could play a role in improving overall workforce wellbeing.
air up® suggests that dehydration often goes unnoticed because it develops gradually, making it easy for employees and employers alike to overlook. However, addressing hydration habits could offer a simple, low-cost way to support focus, energy levels and productivity across the workforce.
Source: UK National Hydration & Wellness Survey 2025; NHS guidance; British Journal of Nutrition; National Kidney Foundation
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About air up®
air up® is the German company behind the world’s first refillable Scentaste™ drinking system that flavours water through scent alone. Since its launch in Europe in July 2019, air up® has raised more than EUR 60M over two funding rounds, and has grown into a company that operates in 14 countries including the U.S. The scale-up counts more than 200 employees worldwide and enjoys a customer base in the millions. The managing team includes Chris Hauth (CEO and CMO), Jannis Koppitz (CEO), Simon Nüesch (CSO), Florian Friedel (CPO).
