Hydration

Healthy Family

The body needs water to function properly – which makes sense given that we are made up of 50 - 65% of the stuff and the brain alone is 75% water!

  • Illustration of a glass with water

    We are made up of 50 - 65% water.

  • You can “eat” some of your water intake with certain fruits and vegetables.

  • A person can live almost a month without food, but only about a week without water.

Why do we need to stay hydrated?

The benefits of maintaining hydration are far-reaching; it helps with digestion, brain function, circulation, hormones, nerves and even skin health.

What is the recommended amount of water per day?

While there is no specific recommendation for how much water we should drink per day, there are recommendations for overall fluid intake, which would include fluid from food sources as well as water and other beverages. For women, total fluid intake should be about 11.5 cups each day, and for men, it should be about 15.5 cups each day. About 20% of daily fluid intake usually comes from food and the rest comes from drinks.

What if water is too boring to drink?

If water is too boring to drink all the time, staying hydrated includes other liquids such as soups and herbal teas as well. You can also try “eating” your water intake via vegetables such as raw cucumber, celery or radishes. Fruits including watermelon, peaches and kiwi work as well.

*Sources: Mayo Clinic

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One Simple Change

Keep your family well hydrated!

Eat fruits and vegetables that have a high-water content such as cucumbers, tomatoes, oranges, blueberries or strawberries. Buy high-quality sparkling water or make your own with an at-home carbonator. Staying hydrated includes taking in other liquids such as soups, herbal infusions and herbal teas. Making hydration fun, colorful and interactive helps to get the kids on board and teaches them a wonderful life skill.

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