Give Me a W! Three Cheers for the Benefits of H20!

For those interested in physics and chemistry, it’s called “H-two-oh” because a single molecule of water has two hydrogen atoms bonded to a single oxygen atom. For the varsity cheerleader more interested in living an active, healthy lifestyle, the best advice is to drink plenty of water. Here’s why: Your body depends on water:

This is not a test, but did you know that your body is more than 60 percent water? Even more important, your blood is over 90 percent water, and your brain and muscles are 75 percent water. How long can a human survive without drinking water as opposed to going without food? If you said one week vs. one month, go to the head of the class! Drink up, because your health depends on it!: Drink lots of water -- eight glasses a day, according to some health experts -- and your active body will benefit in three main ways:

1.  Drinking water helps to keep your body in balance as it goes about its business of digesting and absorbing your food, circulating the oxygen in your blood. Water in your system helps you maintain a normal body temperature as your activity heats up. Water also plays a key role in eliminating liquid and solid wastes from your body.

2. Your joint lubrication, spinal and other sensitive tissues thrive on water for lubrication and protection. That burning sensation in your muscles that accompanies fatigue is caused by an imbalance of fluids and electrolytes -- blood minerals, actually -- when your body cells get out of balance. Water maintains that balance and counteracts the effects of fatigue.

3. Drinking water and eating foods with high water content will help control your weight.  Food with high water content -- fruits, vegetables, broth, oatmeal and beans, for example -- are high in volume, require more chewing and tend to be absorbed into the body more slowly. Depend on these suggestions: Teens on cheerleading squads should follow these suggestions from the Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention to keep hydrated, healthy and energized:

1. Drink at least 17 ounces of water water at least two hours before exercising and replace water lost through sweating while exercising.

2.  Keep a water bottle handy for those times when access to water is not convenient.  Want ice-cold water for the hot weather and physically active times? Freeze your water and take it with you for an all-day supply.

3. Choose water over other sugary beverages or when eating out. You’ll save money and tons of calories. Also, add a slide of lime or lemon to improve the taste, which just might help you drink more water than you might otherwise do. Did we forget to mention…?: Finally, in addition to the tons of physical and health benefits, water offers a bonus of healthy skin.  Water can flush out those clogged pores that cause skin inflammation and acne.  Hydrating from the inside is what causes those glowing complexions that cheerleading squads are so famous for.