Boy, 9, hasn't drunk water in five years as research reveals the staggering number of people who go days without

When was the last time you drank the recommended eight glasses of water a day? How about just one glass?

New research has found that many people could be walking around very dehydrated and fuelled by fizzy drinks and coffee instead.

Consider this your warning to put down that energy drink (yes, you) and pour yourself a glass of water instead.

One YouTuber challenged himself to drink three liters a day, but not everybody is so determined.

2,000 British adults were asked about their hydration habits, and the results paint a shocking picture.

According to the survey, more than two and a half million Brits can’t remember the last time they drank a plain glass of water.

Kelly says her son refuses to drink plain water (SWNS)

Being Brits after all, 40 percent rely on cups of tea for their hydration, with 30 percent drinking coffee and 17 percent using fizzy drinks to quench their thirst.

Meanwhile, 36 percent of women reported failing to drink enough water, compared to 27 percent of men.

Just 17 percent of those surveyed get to be smug because they're drinking enough water, the recommended eight glasses a day.

It's not just adults failing to drink enough either, as 10 percent of parents polled think their kids don't drink enough water.

The poll asked 837 teenagers about their habits, and 15 percent of them say they rarely drink plain water.

One mum who can relate is Kelly Mulligan, who said her nine-year-old son Max hasn't drunk a full glass of plain water since he was four.

Have you drunk enough water today? (Getty Stock Image)

Kelly, 53, claimed he has 'never liked the taste' of water because 'there's no flavor'.

It seems the youngster isn't alone, as nine percent of all adults polled don’t like the taste of plain water, while 43 percent claimed it tastes 'boring'.

Max prefers to drink apple juice, but Kelly dilutes it down to reduce the amount of sugar and to attempt to get some water into him.

“I agree,” the mum-of-one said. “I don't drink plain water either. I can only drink carbonated water or tea.

“Max will take little sips of water if he needs to, but he's always thirsty and says plain water doesn't quench his thirst.”

Kelly added: “Max has to take a bottle of water to school because they don't allow anything [else], but how much he actually drinks of that, I'm not sure.

“He's healthy and happy, so I have no concerns. He has a varied diet and keeps active. It isn't like he's drinking no liquids at all.”

Kelly and Max aren't the only ones who don't enjoy plain water (SWNS)

Of the teenagers polled, 34 percent of 13 to 17-year-olds say they prefer other drinks, while 26 percent blame being 'forgetful'.

It can have a major knock on impact though, with 17 percent of those polled 'often' experiencing symptoms, such as headaches or fatigue.

Three quarters of parents say they feel like they have to 'force' their kids to stay hydrated.

The research was carried out by Más+ by Messi, a hydration drink, and the VP for the company Sophie Van Ettinger said: “It’s alarming the number of people who are not aware they are dehydrated daily and will often go through days experiencing a lack of energy or headaches, not realising a simple glass of water or even a hydration drink is the solution.”

Co-founder of the drink Leo Messi added: “As an athlete, I know the importance of hydration for peak performance.”