​Did you know that there is a week that is dedicated to drinking water? It’s through the American Water Works Association, and this year, it is May 5-11. It’s not just about recognizing the health benefits of water, but also about the infrastructure of the water system, sanitation, water fluoridation, hygiene, and in any other way water is used in our daily lives.

So let’s talk about hydration. With the hot weather here to stay now that it’s May, it is easy to get dehydrated quickly if we’re outside. Many of us “drink” our calories—meaning we are drinking fluids that have calories, such as soda, juice, or sports drinks. Water should be your go-to choice for staying hydrated and rehydrating your body to replenish the water balance, not calorie-dense drinks where you are mostly getting sugar and calories. Yes, sports drinks have vitamins and electrolytes, but the average person isn’t performing at an elite athletic level for long periods of time without rest that would result in such an electrolyte loss, making water still the best choice if you were outside. If you or your child insists on having juice or sports drinks, you can dilute it with water. But studies have found that water is just as effective at rehydrating you as sports drinks—minus the calories.

Two-thirds of our bodies are made up of water, and it is lost through breathing, urinating, and sweating. Water is in our cells, tissues, and vital organs, such as the brain, heart, and liver.

For Drinking Water Week, take extra notice in how often you use your water—to wash your hands, to shower, to drink, to cook with, to wash your dishes, etc. You can learn more about your drinking water, how government regulations keep it safe, and the challenges America’s water systems will soon face here: https://www.cdc.gov/features/drinkingwater/index.html

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