Water is essential to human life. Your body is approximately 75 percent water. Dehydration can lead to a number of health problems, including joint stiffness, constipation, premature aging and weight gain. Drinking water can help you control your asthma and your high blood pressure. Consuming eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day can help you control or prevent many health problems, including obesity. Drinking cold water can help you lose weight. Cold water speeds your metabolism and can help you lose as much as five pounds per year. Drinking eight ounce glasses of water with your meals helps you feel fuller, so you eat less. If you substitute water for higher-calorie beverages full of sugar, you will lose even more weight and be healthier.

Key Points:

• Dehydration can cause many health problems
• When you feel thirsty you are already dehydrated
• Drinking 16oz of water before meals can help you lose weight