SearchWater fuels you. About 60 percent of your body is made of water and all your body systems depend on it. It carries food and energy to cells, flushes poisons from organs, regulates body temperature, lubricates joints and the brain and removes waste. You lose water each day through breath, sweat and when you go to the bathroom, so it’s important to drink enough to rehydrate yourself. Do you know how much water you need to drink each day?
The general recommendation is that men drink about 13 cups and women drink about 9 cups of water per day. The amount may vary by person and situation. For example, when it’s hot outside or if you’re exercising, sick, pregnant or breastfeeding, you may need to drink more. You’re probably drinking enough water if you rarely feel thirsty and your urine is clear or light yellow.
If you don’t drink enough water, it can cause health problems. Listen to your body — if you’re tired, have a headache or feel dizzy, it could be a sign of dehydration. Even mild dehydration can drain your energy. Don’t let your water levels get this low.
National Water Quality Month
August is National Water Quality Month, a time to think about the importance of our water sources — especially here in Colorado where the climate is so dry. Each step you take toward using water wisely is important. (For example, don’t waste water by letting it run while you brush your teeth.)
Water safety
Colorado tap water is safe to drink. Each year, Denver Water, Colorado’s largest water utility company, collects more than 10,000 water samples and runs more than 50,000 tests to ensure water safety. However, if you live in a home built before the mid-1950s, you may have lead pipes. If so, you should run your tap water until it’s cold to flush any lead-contaminated water from the pipes before you drink or cook with it.
Water and flouride
Fluoride, an element found naturally in water, helps keep your teeth and mouth healthy — that’s why it’s added to most toothpastes. Some Colorado water sources have enough natural fluoride. But most community water utilities add some fluoride to their water to bring it up to healthier levels — this can help prevent tooth decay by as much as 40 percent.
So, grab a tall, cold glass of water and toast to all its health benefits — and then maybe even drink a few more!