Six reasons water is the best drink for your children

Water comprises an estimated 65% of the human body. This percentage is even higher among babies and small children. When you hear statistics like that, it’s easy to understand why it’s recommended we drink a certain amount of water each day. Without it, we’d dry up. As a kid, though, with growing number of options for brightly colored, shiny packaged juices and sodas, why would you want to drink water at all? Well, not that you can reason with your child, but maybe knowing how water can help your child will help you steer them towards a 

healthier thirst quencher.

1. Plain and simple – water makes your child’s body work better. 
When children are dehydrated, they will feel and act tired and not perform as well. 
When they are hydrated, they will be able to run faster, jump higher, climb better. You see, muscles are made out of 79% water, blood is 80% water and bones are 22% water.


2. Water makes your child think and learn better. 
The brain is made up of 75% water.
Dehydration makes your child moody and their brain just doesn’t think right.


3. Water makes your body healthier. 
Water helps clean out the garbage of the body like the toxins and poop. (Kids find this funny.) Constipation is a sign of dehydration.


4. Water makes your skin healthy and not itchy. 
Dehydration causes the skin to be itchy and dry.


5. Water makes you breathe better.
If your child has a cold or fever, their body needs more water. Fever causes water loss. If your child has a cold, water helps the mucus membranes keep the secretions from clogging the airways. It’s the best cough medicine!


6. Water keeps you from overeating.
Dehydration can be confused with hunger.

Suggestions for you and your family:

Having glass or stainless steel water bottles around the house, in your car, at your desk, bed side table, etc. If you prefer cold water, have water bottles in the fridge for you to grab. Flavor your water with lemon wedges, mint, oranges, cucumber, or watermelon and pineapple rinds. Experiment to find your favorite taste.

Keep a LARGE water jug on the kitchen counter so everyone can get their own water. When it is easy to see and get to, it’s likely everyone in your family will drink more.

Serve water-rich foods like watermelon, soups, and fruit filled smoothies.