“In both
children and adults, the more hydrated they were, the less likely they were to
be obese.”
--from How Not to Diet by Michael Greger, M.D.
The oceans are full of it. Rivers run wild because of
it. It fills lakes to provide summertime
fun for kids. Up to 60% of an adult human body contains it.
Water. A clear non-caloric liquid so precious and
vital to our existence yet we take it for granted. H20. Two molecules of hydrogen and one molecule of oxygen. Most of us fail to prioritize its role in
what we consume every day. Most people
don’t consume nearly enough to keep their bodies - and brains - hydrated.
The primary
beverage children and adults should drink every day is water. Not sodas. Not milk from cows. Not fruit juice. Not coffee. Just plain water.
In his 2019
book How Not to Diet, Dr. Michael Greger recommends drinking 2 cups of cool or
cold unflavored water to preload before a meal, a habit that can promote weight loss.
What are
your kids drinking? Soda? Juice? What our bodies need most is water and not drinking enough water plays a role in weight gain and obesity.
How much water do you need? According to
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, adult men need to
consume about 15.5 cups a day and women need about 11.5 cups a day. Most of that should be just water. Coffee,
milk, and juice can count towards your daily total because they are mostly
water. If you exercise and sweat a lot,
you probably need more than these amounts.
Your brain
and body will thank you when you make cool water your daily go-to hydration. Real simple.
With love,
Nancy
Heinrich, MPH
Founder and
Wellness Architect
Growing
Healthy Kids, Inc.
