DID YOU KNOW?
Alzheimer’s may be due to dehydration of the brain. Other degenerative diseases, like arthritis, diabetes, and colitis, have been linked to a lack of proper water intake in our daily diets. Dr. Fereydoon Batmanghelidj, University of Pennsylvania

How important is water?
Water is the most important nutrient that our bodies need to properly function. Water plays a critical role in the natural metabolic, digestive, and cellular regeneration processes. ALL of the systems in our body depend on water! Water helps

• Enhance mental clarity
• Increase energy levels
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Regulate body temperature
• Moisten tissues in the mouth, eyes, and nose
• Protect body organs and tissues
• Enable proper digestion and prevent constipation
• Lubricate joints and tendons
• Flush out waste products
• Dissolve and aid in the absorption of vital minerals, vitamins, and nutrients
• Carry nutrients and oxygen to cells (Mayo Clinic, 2004, www.mayoclinic.com)

How much water should I drink?
The Institute of Medicine, based in Washington D.C., recommends that men consume 3.7 liters of total water a day and women consume 2.7 liters of total water per day.

DID YOU KNOW?
Thirst is not always a reliable gauge for dehydrating conditions. Thirst does not develop until AFTER the body fluids are depleted well below levels required for optimal functioning. Mayo Clinic, 2005