Water: An Overlooked Essential Nutrient | Presented by: Your Name | Today I am discussing the importance of water to encourage this office to provide water as the main beverage choice in this office. Water maintains body temperature, maintains blood volume, blood pressure and supports all cell functions. (Cherif, et al., 2010)Water is a valuable resource even in an office environment. You may not realize that an air-conditioned office is a very dry environment and will deplete your body of water. Working long hours can cause mild dehydration that will affect mental responses. The brain is 80% water. Loss of water will affect concentration and memory. Dehydration can cause headaches, tiredness and loss of concentration, affecting alertness. (European Hydration Institute)No other drink is as affective in hydrating the body like water. Gatorade and Powerade both have high levels of added sugar and salt. These should only be added to water for athletes, extreme heat situations or a sick person. |

Daily Recommendations Experts vary on just how much water is required for daily hydration. “The Institute of Medicine determined that an adequate intake (AI) for men is roughly 3 liters (about 13 cups) of total beverages a day. The AI for women is 2.2 liters (about 9 cups) of total beverages a day.” However, most agree that eight 8 ounce glasses a day is an appropriate daily intake. ( Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER), 2011) Gatorade and Powerade are both sports drinks and they have no daily recommendation. They are designed for “critical fuel during relatively intense (more than 60% of maximal effort) exercise bouts lasting more than 1 hour. “ (Cherif, et al., 2010, p. 299) Both Gatorade and Powerade have no evidence of providing a benefit to those who are not exercising. In fact the only affect they seem to have on an un-athletic person is weight gain. (p. 301) Nutrient Content