10^th Annual Hydration For Health Scientific Conference, Evian, June 2018

This special edition started with the Hydration for Health Academy on June 26^th, a preconference day dedicated to training on hydration science. The Academy presented four courses:

1. Hydration Basics
2. Fluid Intake Assessment
3. Kidney physiology
4. Hydration for Dietitians

During the course on Hydration Basics, Prof. Kavouras from the Arizona State University (USA) introduced Water metabolism and hydration basics. Then, Dr. Perrier from Danone Nutricia Research (France) took the stage to speak about the latest developments in hydration assessments.

Course 2 explored fluid intake recording and patterns worldwide. The first lecture by Dr. Gandy from the British Dietetics Association (UK) made a state-of-the-art of the current dietary assessment methods and their relevance to record fluid intake. Prof. Martinez from the University of Mexico (Mexico) presented the results of the Liq.In7 cross-sectional surveys in 13 countries worldwide. Dr. Maria Wakolbinger from the University of Vienna (Austria) presented a lecture on the importance of fluid type for health. Dr. Guelinkcx from Danone Nutricia Research (France) gave a lecture on how to create an hydrogenic environment.

During course 3, Dr. Bankir from Inserm (France) presented the basics of hydration and kidney physiology and Prof. Tack, Toulouse School of Medicine (France) gave insights on the clinical aspects of hydration and renal function.

The last course was specifically designed for dietitians by the European Federation of the Association of Dietitians (EFAD). Annemieke Van Ginkel-Res, Vice-president of EFAD (The Netherlands) chaired the session and introduced how this course is part of a global initiative: the European Healthy Awareness Campaign. Pauline Douglas from the University of Ulster (UK) gave an interactive lecture on the role of dietitians in hydration education and how dietitians can integrate hydration in their daily practice.

The first online course is now available! Enter the Hydration for Health Online Academy here : Hydration for health Academy

On June 27^th, was held the 10th Hydration for Health Conference chaired Prof. Lawrence E. Armstrong, University of Connecticut (USA). 

The conference started with a first session exploring the importance and the latest advancement in hydration for children. Dr. Bottin from Danone Nutricia Research (France) gave an extensive overview of the literature on the physiology of hydration in children. Dr. Khan from University of Illinois (USA), presented results on the effects of a fluid intake intervention on hydration biomarkers in children. Prof. Hillman from the University of Boston (USA), took the stage to present the effect of hydration on cognition in children and Dr. Schätzer from SIPCAN, Austria closed the session by presenting examples of combined behavioral and environmental interventions in Austrian’s schools to promote a healthier lifestyle.

The second session entitled 10 years of hydration science explored the birth of this science, going through the golden age of hydration for performance in athletes, to the more recent times when hydration research shifted to explore the general population’s health.

Prof. Mack from the Brigham Young University Provo (USA) did an exhaustive overview of the history of hydration science and Prof. Maresh from the Ohio State University (USA) presented the development of hydration science when it was focused on exercise performance. Dr. Perrier from Danone Nutricia Research (France) closed the session with an overview of the progress made the last 10 years, when the hydration research moved from performance to health outcomes.

Prof. Lawrence E. Armstrong was awarded with the Tribute to Hydration for his career and major contribution to the field.

A more global topic related to hydration and health was discussed in the third session: climate change and its impact on diets and health. The first lecture given by Prof. Tirado from Loyola Marymount University (USA) explored the impact of the climate change on commodities and healthy diets. According to predictions, by 2080 1 to 3 billion people will experience water scarcity. Prof. Johnson from the University of Colorado (USA), presented the impact of global warming on endemic nephropathies. Dr. Nerbass from the Fundação Pró-rim (Brazil) closed the session by presenting the preliminary results of a pilot study observing the impact of heat stress on kidney health in factory worker in Brazil.

The last session went event broader in the topic of hydration by exploring the impact of initiatives related to access to safe water for health. Prof. Etienne Macedo from the University of California San Diego and the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) presented the first learnings of the 0 by 25 project initiated by ISN aiming at 0 death from Acute Kidney Injury by 2025. Then Prof. Garcia-Garcia from the University of Guadalajara Health Sciences Center (Mexico) and the ISN, presented the first results of a safe water community project in Jalisco, Mexico and its impact on health.

The day closed with the Pitch Your Science! Contest. For the second year in a row, 6 young researchers took the challenge to pitch their research work in three minutes. The winner, selected by the audience by live vote is Mrs. Gabrielle Giersch from the University of Arkansas for her presentation Mild dehydration by 24h fluid restriction increases evening fatigue and sleep duration.

Discover the Young Researcher Award 2018 Winner here: Young Research Award