Questions: Why We Drink Water

Question 1

About how much of your body is made of water?

• A. A tiny bit — less than a cup
• B. About one quarter
• C. More than half
• D. Your body is not made of water at all

Answer: (C)

More than half of your body is water — about 60 percent. Water is in your blood, your muscles, your brain, and even your bones. It is not sloshing around loose; it is part of how everything in your body works.

Question 2

You mainly need to drink water when you feel thirsty.

• T. True
• F. False

Answer: False

By the time you feel thirsty, your body has already been needing water for a while. Thirst is your body's way of saying it has been waiting too long. It is better to drink water throughout the day, especially when it is hot or when you are playing hard, so your body always has enough.

Question 3

What are two things water does for your body?

Model answer: Water helps carry nutrients to all parts of your body, keeps your body cool (through sweating), helps you digest food, and helps your body get rid of waste (through urine).

Water has many jobs in the body. It moves important things (like nutrients from food) to where they need to go. It helps cool you down when you sweat. It helps break down food in your stomach. And it helps flush out waste. Without enough water, none of these jobs work as well.