What do you really know about the importance of water intake? Did you know that water has been ranked by experts as only second to oxygen as essential to our survival. The average adult body is 55 to 75% water.  Aside from aiding digestion and the absorption of food, water also regulates body temperature, blood circulation, carries nutrients and oxygen to the cells, and removes toxins and other wastes. If that isn't enough, every metabolic process in our body occurs in a water medium. We can survive two months without food, but only a few days without water!!

Yes, that's right! Even a small change from soda to water can help you fight that unwanted weight gain. When you drink water, depending on the volume of water that enters the stomach, a neurotransmitter called motilin is secreted. This neurotransmitter not only stimulates digestion but also helps to inform your brain that you are satisfied so you will not eat as much! Do you know how many calories are in a Coke? One 12 ounce can has 140 calories. So let's say that you drink 4 to 6 Cokes per day. That equals 560 to 840 extra empty calories per day. Now lets say that you drink 4 to 6 12 ounce glasses of water per day; this equal 0 extra calories which equals weight loss!!!

As college students we need all our brain cells to be ready to go for any of the wonderful pop quizzes the teachers love so much! Your brain tissue is 85% water. Although the brain is only 1/50 th of the body weight, it uses a whopping 1/20 th of the blood supply!  With dehydration, energy generation in the brain decreases, and depression and chronic fatigue can occur. 

Now that you are convinced of all the benefits of water, what is the minimum amount you can drink and still get all the perks? The absolute minimum is 6 to 8 eight ounce glasses per day! ONLY WATER COUNTS AS WATER!

Sources:

1. Batmanghelidj, F.  Your Body's Many Cries for Water.   West Sussex : The Therapist Ltd.

       1997.

2.  Http://free-weight-loss-diet-health-lessons.com/weight-loss.htm .  September 21, 2003.