On a very hot summer day, nothing is more refreshing than an ice cold glass of water.  Water hosts many benefits, aside from quenching our thirst.  Water is constantly leaving our bodies through various natural processes and it is critical that it is replenished. Do you understand the various benefits of drinking water - whether it?s after an intense jog or if you?re sitting on the couch watching TV?

1. Water Meets the Needs of the Cells in Your Body

The human body is just about two-thirds water.  Even more interesting is when you break down the water composition of our organs and anatomy.

• The human brain is about 85% water
• Human blood is about 79% water
• Human muscles are about 74% water
• Human bones are about 22% water (super interesting)
• Human teeth contain about 10% water

2. Water Improves our Brain Function

Who knew drinking water would help your brain function?  If your water consumption is low, your blood will thicken; in turn, your body has to work that much harder to circulate blood.  When your body is taxed your brain becomes very sluggish.

• A 2% decrease in body water can lead to short-term memory loss, trouble with basic math concepts and also trouble focusing on a computer screen or printed page.
• A 4-5% decrease in body water may lead to a 20 to 30 percent drop in work performance.
• Within the first 5 to 10 minutes of drinking water, you will find you can think more clearly, remained focused and be more creative.

This is a great fact to share with teachers who are not too fond of the idea of children having bottled water in their classroom!

3. Drinking Water Could Lead to Weight Loss

Water is said to be a natural appetite suppressant.  If you feel hungry, sometimes it?s just your body desiring (or needing) more water.  Water can also make us feel full and help with eating smaller portions.

Additionally, a body that is dehydrated will have a lower metabolism and cannot burn fat quite as rapidly.  Drinking water could increase metabolism by as much as 2%.

4. Increase Energy Levels

Dehydration is the greatest cause of mid-day exhaustion.  In school, students who drink water throughout the day are more alert and able to learn.  At work, employees who frequently drink water are more attentive and productive.  There is an obvious benefit to athletes or those that frequently exercise, as water loss during activity can be as much as 4 to 5 quarts.  Dehydration is one of the top reasons for poor performance during athletic activity.

5. Overall Improvement in Health

Most physicians will tell you that the primary benefit of drinking water is to improve and maintain overall health.  The standard recommendation is to drink between 8 to 10 glasses each day.  This is especially true for those who lead very active lifestyles or even senior citizens who are more susceptible to dehydration.

This summer stay hydrated and healthy.  Consume a sufficient amount of clean drinking water?..your body will thank you!