The European Hydration Institute

The European Hydration Institute (EHI) is an independent foundation established in 2010 with the objectives of advancing and sharing knowledge and understanding of all matters relating to human hydration and the effect of hydration on health, wellness and performance.

The European Hydration Institute (EHI) was founded in response to the need expressed by a number of scientists, nutritionists and health care professionals, for a one stop shop relating to hydration where all hydration science and knowledge could come together and strategies for further advancing understanding in the area of hydration could be developed.

MISION

The mission of the European Hydration Institute (EHI) is to raise awareness of the importance of hydration for health, wellness and performance by: –	Providing an authoritative source of science-based information about hydration science which can be used for developing strategies to further advance both scientific and consumer understanding of hydration issues.

–	Raising awareness of the importance of adequate hydration and ensuring that hydration needs are well understood so that they can be included in public health agendas. Special attention to fluid needs is required at key times such as during pregnancy and whilst breastfeeding as well as in populations like children and elderly. Maintaining proper hydration levels when playing sport is important and can impact on performance.

ORGANIZATION

Partners and collaborators The European Hydration Institute (EHI) is supported by trustees, partners and collaborators who share a mutual desire to better understand the science of hydration and the way it affects health, wellness and performance. The Board of Trustees of the European Hydration Institute (EHI) is composed of representatives from partner organisations and of experts in the field of hydration. The following are the founder partners of the European Hydration Institute (EHI): •	Nutrition Foundation of Italy. •	Nutrition Research Foundation of Spain (Fundación Española de Investigación Nutricional). •	The Coca-Cola Company. •	University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain (Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria).

Science Advisory Board The Institute's Science Advisory Board comprises European scientists and health and nutrition experts that are appointed as independent scientific experts and key health and nutrition opinion leaders representing different disciplines within hydration science and public health and performance. The Science Advisory Board is chaired by Professor. Ronald J. Maughan (UK). Members of the Science Advisory Board are Dr. Maria Kapsokefalou (Greece), Professor. Claudio Maffeis (Italy), Professor Patrick Ritz (France), Professor Lluís Serra-Majem (Spain), and Dr. Susan Shirreffs (UK).

ACTIVITIES

The activities of the European Hydration Institute (EHI) focus on advancing hydration science and knowledge and disseminating science-based facts and information. This includes compiling scientific evidence about hydration-related issues, providing annual graduate student research grants, undertaking scientific and sociological research, developing materials aimed at promoting good hydration behaviours and facilitating the sharing of information, opinions and knowledge.

REFERENCES

European Hydration Institute: www.europeanhydrationinstitute.org

EXTERNAL LINKS •	Nutrition Foundation of Italy: www.nutrition-foundation.it •	Nutrition Research Foundation of Spain (Fundación Española de Investigación Nutricional): www.finut.org •	The Coca-Cola Company: www.thecoca-colacompany.com •	University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain (Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria): www.ulpgc.es