5 Reasons WHY your child needs MORE water

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Over the past few decades, the intake of sweetened drinks increased dramatically. In the United States and Mexico by almost 100%. It seems as if parents forgot the importance of water. Below are the 5 crucial reasons why YOUR CHILD needs more water.

1. Memory and Concentration will increase
Once a child’s brain reaches mild dehydration his/her brain begins to waste more energy to accomplish the same tasks. A study from King’s College London compared test results of hydrated teenagers to the results of teens with mild dehydration. The study shows that dehydrated teens spent more energy to achieve the same results as the hydrated teenagers. Their frontal-parietal region of the brain showed strong activity. At first glance, a strong activity might seem like a positive factor, however, brainpower is a limited source. The dehydrated teens worked harder to achieve the same results as the hydrated teens.
If your child is rapidly consuming sweetened drinks, such as soda, pop, ice tea her/his brain is struggling to concentrate and recall the information previously memorized. Their brain is working twice as hard to accomplish mediocre results. Once your child begins consuming more water, the brain will gain strength. Concentrating on a task will be easy and his/her memory will improve.

2. Healthy energy, no sugar high
Drinking water will help your child maintain the energy his/her body needs. Students who constantly drink water during school tend to remain energetic after coming home. These children have “healthy” energy. They are not sleepy nor cranky. They have the strength to finish homework and participate in other activities. However, the children who drink sweetened liquids during school, even chocolate mild, experience tiredness by the end of the school day. Soda makes them “sugar high” after leaving school. They are hyperactive.
Water will help your child to maintain healthy energy throughout the entire day.

3. Learning will be easier
A developing brain is formed out of 80 percent water and 20 percent of other tissues. Water is essential for neurological transmissions. Dehydration reduces the brain’s ability to quickly receive and transmit information. Mental performance decreases by 10 percent after a thirst is felt.
As stated previously, according to Philippa Norman M.D. even mild dehydration effects cognitive performance:
“Water is essential for optimal brain health and function. Water is necessary to maintain the tone of membranes for normal neurotransmission. It enhances circulation and aids in removing wastes. Water keeps the brain from overheating, which can cause cognitive decline and even damage. This is one of the main reasons to encourage students to drink water during exercise. Dehydration most commonly occurs because children go long periods of time without drinking water. When they are thirsty they often choose sweetened drinks instead of water. By the time thirst is felt, there may be a loss of body weight up to 2 percent from water loss, and a 10 percent cognitive decline may be present. Dehydration can lead to fatigue, dizziness, poor concentration and reduced cognitive abilities. Even mild levels of dehydration can impact school performance.”

4. Foundation for good health
Consuming water in large amounts is a healthy habit. If children develop this routine at a young age, it will be easier for them to maintain it. According to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only 22 percent of Americans drink more than eight cups per day (8-ounce/per cup). Meaning, the majority of adults are constantly dehydrated. An adult who developed a healthy lifestyle at a young age has an advantage above everyone else.

5. Prevent obesity
A study has been conducted in 2014 concerning hydration and obesity prevention. Children and young teenagers were divided into two groups – an intervention group and the control group. The intervention group received 220 ml of sugar-sweetened beverages each day and the control group received 220 ml of non-caloric artificially sweetened drink. After 18 months of testing, the intervention group gained about 2 lb more weight than the control group. However, the researchers concluded that both groups gained more body fat compared with the children, who only drink water. This research shows a direct correlation between drinking sugar-sweetened beverages or artificially-sweetened drinks and obesity. Beginning to drink water in larger amounts will help your child in preventing obesity.
Bellow, you can find what is the best amount of water for your child’s age:

Began preparing your child for a healthy future by simply drinking more water!

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