1.  Why is it important to drink lots of water?

 We need to drink enough water to maintain “water balance” within the body.  Water is an essential molecule in living organisms.  It is a major component of blood.  It is used in many chemical reactions in the body as well as being used to cool the body temperature.  Nerve impulses and muscle contractions depend on electrolytes (molecules that release ions in water such as sodium, calcium, potassium and chloride ions).  If our water and electrolyte system is not “in balance”, it can result in not being able to cool our bodies when needed or to have well-coordinated nerve impulses, having a build-up of toxins in the body,    going into convulsions and ultimately dying.

 Situations where there would be a particular danger that such a lack of water balance might develop are, to name a few, physical exercise without replenishing water and electrolytes, high outdoor temperatures such as are experienced in the desert or during a heat wave, running a fever, diarrhea and vomiting.  Newborn babies do not have a well-developed system for maintain body temperature and conserving body water, so caretakers must be especially aware of the amount of fluid and electrolytes they are taking in.