Americans seem to carry bottled water everywhere they go these days. In fact, it has become the second most popular drink (behind soft drinks). However, even though water is among one of the most popular drinks, studies find that Americans still do not drink enough water to be termed “healthy.” According to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,“Forty-three percent of adults drink less than four cups of water a day. That includes 36 percent who drink one to three cups, and 7 percent who drink none.” Although the CDC does not say how much water is “enough,” because our needs vary, less than four 8-ounce cups usually falls short, said Dr. Alyson Goodman, a CDC epidemiologist and lead author of the study.
“Think of water as a nutrient your body needs that is present in liquids, plain water, and foods. All of these are essential daily to replace the large amounts of water lost each day,” says Joan Koelemay, RD, dietitian for the Beverage Institute, an industry group.
Kaiser Permanente nephrologist Steven Guest, MD, agrees: “Fluid losses occur continuously, from skin evaporation, breathing, urine, and stool, and these losses must be replaced daily for good health,” he says.
When your water intake does not equal your output, you can become dehydrated. Fluid losses are accentuated in warmer climates, during strenuous exercise in high altitudes, and in older adults, whose sense of thirst may not be as sharp.
As water is a valuable liquid needed throughout our lives, individuals continue to pass up the opportunity to consume this beverage to live a healthy life-style. Some people say they do not think of water impacting their lives in abundance, others seem to not care. Well, to change those perspectives, WebMD gives six reasons why everybody should be drinking water throughout the day. These six reasons make you think about how living a healthy life is a smart life. Also, BreakingMuscle.com, a leading website aimed towards exercising and living healthy life-styles, gives ten more solid reasons as to why everybody should consume water.
While water almost tops the charts as one of the most consumed liquids in America, that should not sit as impressive to anyone. Not only should water be at the top spot on that list; it should always and forever be at the top of that list. Individuals lack of consumption of water is becoming a problem and, if not addressed not, could only get worse. It is up to us to not only influence others to drink more water, but it is on ourselves to make our own body consume enough water.
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