Health and Safety
Water and Its Importance
Did you know that your body is made up of two-thirds water? It is important to drink plenty of water every day to stay healthy. You should drink 1 glass of water for every 15 pounds that you weigh. So, if you weigh 45 pounds, you should drink at least 3 glasses of water a day. Can you figure out how many glasses of water you need to drink every day?
Your body needs more water when you are physically active. If you don't get enough water, you can get dehydrated and it can make you feel sick. Some of the signs that your body isn't getting enough water are: you feel hot and thirsty, you are tired, you have a headache, and feel dizzy. You can also feel like you are going to throw up and you can't think very well. So, who needs more water? A person playing football, a person watching TV or the friend sitting next to you?
The water that we drink travels through our entire body, going into every tissue and cell. I want to tell you some of the ways that water helps keep our body healthy. Water helps the skin keep our body temperature in a normal range. Water helps your blood carry nutrients and oxygen to every cell in the body. Water helps your joints (like your knees and elbows) remain flexible and strong. Water helps the stomach and intestines break down the food you eat into nutrients. Water helps the lungs bring oxygen into your body. And helps you think. Don't you think it is a good idea to drink water?
Besides drinking water, we can get water from some of the foods that we eat. Some of the foods that have lots of water in them are: oranges, lettuce, celery, carrots, apples, watermelon, and radishes. Pineapples have the highest water content of any familiar food — 95%. What are you going to eat today that has water in it?
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