Water for Your Body
Katie says:
Who is at high risk of
dehydration and why?
We all need water when we are thirsty. We also
need water to help our bodies function daily. It helps
our joints and other body parts work properly. About
half of our bodies are made of water.
• Infants, older adults, and athletes
are at high risk.
• They do not know they are thirsty
until it is too late.
Facts about water:
How is water in your body lost?
• The adult body is 55 to 75 percent water.
• In the summer months when you get hot,
you sweat to cool down your body.
• Sweating makes you lose water.
• The brain is about 85 percent water.
• Blood is 80 percent water.
• Muscles are 70 percent water.
• Water is fat free and has no calories.
• Water gets rid of waste in your body.
• Water carries nutrients around the body.
Water needs to be replaced right away.
How much water should
you drink each day?
• Drink 8 to 12 cups each day.
• A gulp of water is about an ounce.
• A cup is 8 ounces.
What is dehydration?
• A condition caused when your body does not
have enough water to function properly.
• It can be dangerous.
• If you lose 2 to 3 percent of your weight in water,
you are dehydrated. You can die if you lose 10
percent of your weight in water.
Foods also have water in them.
• Some vegetables, such as lettuce and celery, are
90 percent or more water.
• Fruit juices and green tea can help you get the
water you need.
Remember: Coffee and alcohol
make you urinate more often,
causing you to lose water.
A L A B A M A
A & M
A N D
A U B U R N
U N I V E R S I T I E S
Dear Friend,
Katie comes to you from your county Extension office.
We can tell you many things about feeding and caring for your
family. Come by or call the Extension office for free booklets.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
AUBURN UNIVERSITY, ALABAMA 36849
OFFICIAL BUSINESS
270-13M-2:04
HE-815
Your county Extension agent can tell you more about
this and can help you in other ways too. Call or write:
Evelyn F. Crayton, Extension Assistant Director for Family
and Community Programs
Too much water?
You can also drink too much water.
This is called water intoxication. It
causes headaches, blurred vision,
cramps, and convulsions.
Drink more water at these times:
• While you exercise
• When you are in very hot or very
cold weather
• During pregnancy and
breast-feeding
• When you eat a lot of fiber to
prevent constipation
• When you are sick
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work in agriculture and home economics, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, and other related acts, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Alabama Cooperative Extension
System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn University) offers educational programs, materials, and equal opportunity employment to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status, or disability.