THE WEEK

JULY 13,

2014 39

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fatigue, weakness, attention deficit'

bring
treadaJhe and dehydration and
functions
cognitive
in
detriment
a
about
ar"n ,t concentration, alertness and
short-term memorY in children'

to

tea and
water over caffeinated drinks like

in manY
e Water is used bY the body

water
coffee and soft drinks' Packaged
agood oPtion whiletravelling'
be judiH-owever, it is necessary to
aS
water
bottled
of
cious in the choice

is

is safe' The
not all packed drinking water

most important aspect that everyone

ways

r ietps in digestion and facilitates

chewing and swallowing
o Lubricatesioints and cartilages
o Regulates bodYtemPerature
the form
o Swlat glands lose water in
cooling
a
produce
to
of perspiration
effect.

quintessential to life. Like airand food, water is one of the basic requirements without which life is impossible'
funcWater is necessary for the normal
the
development'
and
growth
tioning,
enhancethe
preseivation of health and
ater is an elixir, it is

a Maintains electrolYte balance

Flushes toxins and waste through

urination and PersPiration
o Prevents constiPation
and
o Blood is about 92 per cent water

washould check before buying bottled

of
reputation
and
ier is the authenticity
promise
brands
most
While
the brand.
quality and carrythe lSl approved standbrands
arO mark, trust only well-known
Bisleri'
like
from organised companies
adstrictly
which
Kinley,
Aquafini and
water is
Bottled
processes'
safe
to
here
MRP
the only product that has the same
for
sirttling
of
acrosgall brands. lnstead
your child the
give
brand,
a substandard
Lest atthe same priceand helpyourchild
sip hiswayto great health with water'

carries nutrients and oxygenthrough-

outthe bodY

ment of immunity'

come
Drinking plenty of water should

their
as a natural habit to children as
bodies require continuous replenishphysical ac-

ment because of constant

tivity and high metabolic rate' However'
in
an alarming trend has been observed
emulatheyoungsters of today' Western
tion and the trend for the sugary,ulces
about
and aerated drinks have brought
acceptchildren's
in
decrease
a drastic
in Arance of water' A study published

chives of Diseases in Childhood claimed

that 70 per cent of preschool children
believe
do not drink plain water' Experts
because
that this disquieting tendency is
are "catching them young"

advertisers
by promoting colas, soft drinks' iuices
A trip to
and sports drinks to youngsters'
proof of this
gives
joint
food
popular
any
and
wiere pizzaisclubbed with one cola

burger is teamed with another' Children'

emwho are influenced by adult models'
there is a
hence
and
choices
their
ulate
other
wide-spread preference for drinks
a
have
can
water. This inclination

than
fudistressing lmpact on wellness and
lead
can
intake
water
Less
ture fitness.

have
As habits developed in childhood
it is
health'
on future

a lasting impact

intake
mandatory to insist on the regular

waterfrom an earlYage'
indisThere is no doubt that water is
and
nutrient
putably the most important
fahave
can
absence
one whose

of

ihe only

The curtal consequences within days'

drink
should
one
that
say
guideiines
rent
a day'
at leist 8 to 10 glasses of water
Though there is no specific instruction
governing the amount of water recomto
irended for children, it is mandatory
and
day
give them water throughout the

iot iust when

they complain of thirst'

the child
Do not add sugar orflavour if

lemon
refuses to drink plain water' Add
plain
to water if the child does not accept
by
appealing
water readily. Make water
givAvoid
glasses'
serving it in exciting
drinks
ing children sugary or carbonated
to water because they

aJ replacement
provide empty caloriesthat lead to child'hood
obesity. Fresh fruits and vegetawater' so
bles are also good sources of

set a
add them to every meal' Moreover'
for
opting
by
good example to your child

Geetanjali Chitale has a post-graduate dipioma in Dietetics and Applied

and a masters degree in

Nutrition

Food Science and APP|ied

Nutritionfrom Mumbai
UniversitY.

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