Did you know that without water, we will die in a few days. We can live without food for several weeks. More than half the weight of the body is water. Water is very important especially in the very hot weather we are having this summer.

Why do we need water? There are 3 main reasons. They are:

•keep food moving through the body

•eliminate body wastes

•keep the body at the right temperature

The body loses and needs to replace two to three quarts of water every day. If you exercise, work or play in the summer heat, you can lose even more water.

Where do we get water?

We get some water from the foods we eat and also from drinking. We need to drink six to eight glasses of liquid each day. Fruit juice, milk, soup and, of course, water will provide the liquids we need. Beverages with caffeine, such as ice tea or sodas make the body lose more water so should not be counted. Cool drinks are used better by the body than warm ones.

What happens when we are outside?

It is important to replace the water you lose by sweating. Drinking enough water to no longer feel thirsty does not replace all the water lost. In hot weather, you should drink water before you exercise or play. While you exercise or play in the heat, drink a half of glass of water every 15 minutes. Be sure to continue to drink water after you have exercised to replace all the fluids you have lost.

Be sure to take water with you when you go on a picnic, a hike, fishing or other summer activity. This is especially important if you will be gone for several hours. In the summer time, it is always a good idea to carry a bottle of water with you.

How much water should you drink?

To make drinking water more fun, make a game out of it. Have your children help you figure how much water you each need to drink each day. Each person needs at least 8 cups. If you work or play out in the heat this summer, you should add two or three more cups of water to the container. Pour that amount into the pitcher. Check at least once during the day to see how much family members are drinking.

Water or No Water

This activity looks at what happens when a flower does not get water. Place one flower in a cup of water; place another flower in a cup without water. Wait 24 hours. After 24 hours the flower that was not in water wilted and drooped. The flower that was in water is still fresh and pretty. The same thing happens to us. More than half the weight of our body is water. Water is needed to keep food moving through the intestinal tract. Water also helps regulate the body temperature by distributing heat and cooling the body with perspiration.