It is no surprise that water is a necessity for our lives, but why is it so important to have the recommended consumption of water daily? And how much water is needed to establish and maintain a good and healthy body?
Water plays a role in every bodily function, and it makes up more than 70% of tissue in the body. A person can go weeks without food, but only a few days without water.
The old saying is to drink 8 glasses of water every day. However, is that necessary? Yes, adults and children may need even more. One rule to follow is to drink one quart of water for every 50 pounds of body weight in adults and children.
What does water do for the body?
-Aids digestion and elimination
-Lubricates joints
-Keeps skin healthy
-Removes toxins from the body
-Helps circulation
-Replenishes fluids
Monitoring your child’s water intake
An effective way to monitor your child’s water intake to make sure they are drinking enough is to check their urine. Look at their first urine in the morning before they flush the toilet and make note of the color. Ideally, it should be a very light yellow, but if it is deep dark yellow, this may be a sign that your child is not drinking enough water throughout the day.
Dehydration can be avoided by drinking an adequate amount of water every day. Some signs that your child may be dehydrated are fatigue, headaches, and constipation.
Make sure your child drinks water throughout the day versus chugging down a quart at once in the evening. The latter will only make them go to the bathroom right away and urinate it all out instead of the body absorbing it.
Remember, during the hot summer months, children need even more water. So remember to keep them well-hydrated.
Here’s a fun way to get your child to drink water!
http://drpatriciamd.com/water-bottle-workout/
