How Much Water Should Adolescents Consume?
Water is so important to the body that without it, we would only be able to live for a few days. In fact, food is far less vital to maintaining life than water. Consuming enough water should be on everyone's to-do list, and adolescents are no different. In fact, it may surprise you just how important water is to an adolescent's changing body.
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Main Purpose of Water for the Body
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Water keeps the body hydrated and much more. Water rids the body of harmful toxins that get trapped in the intestines and organs. It's the carrier of nutrients from one place to the next. Every part of the body is dependent on water.
How Much Water Should Adolescents Consume?
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Adolescents are no exception to the water rule. In fact, they need it more than ever because their bodies are changing hormonally. However, teenagers get less water than any other age group. Adolescents drink mainly soda pop, energy drinks and consume high amounts of salty and fatty foods, which have no essential value to the body. The rule for the amount of water adolescents consume is no different from that of an adult. The Mayo Clinic recommends at least eight, 8-oz. glasses/bottles of water per day, though this average can vary depending on the physical activity of the adolescent.
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When To Drink More Than The Recommended Amount
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Many adolescents are involved in athletic events such as basketball, volleyball, football, cheerleading and drill team. All of these activities are good for the body and help adolescents maintain a healthy weight, as well as help the hormones that are new to the body to balance out. However, not all teens know the importance of replacing the fluids that are lost during vigorous exercise. The Mayo Clinic recommends that adolescents who engage in vigorous exercise drink an additional 400ml a day, which is 1 1/2 cups more. For exercise that lasts longer than an hour, such as football and basketball practice, 600ml or more is recommended.
Adolescents, Water, and Acne
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Acne is very common during adolescent years. Drinking water and staying hydrated l keeps the skin moist but will also dilute oil glands that normally clog and become inflamed. Hydrated skin is less prone to acne breakouts; if acne does appear on the skin, it's more likely to heal quicker and heal without leaving any scars.
Weight Management and More Energy
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Adolescents who stay hydrated are less likely to be overweight. Water helps the body maintain a healthy appetite but also helps the metabolism work to its highest potential. Adolescents who stay hydrated have more energy, and an increase in energy also means an increase in calories being burned.
Signs That Dehydration is a Problem
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Adolescents who don't consume enough water show specific symptoms such as fatigue, common headaches, weight gain and dark gold urine. Water consumption is vital to the health and vitality of any adolescent. If your adolescent is struggling with any of the above symptoms, encourage her to drink more water.
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