Did you know that 75% of all Americans are chronically dehydrated?

Did you know that in 37% of Americans, the thirst mechanism is so weak that it is often mistaken for hunger?

Did you know that even mild dehydration will slow down one's metabolism as much as 3%?

Did you know that one glass of water shuts down midnight hunger pangs for almost 100% of the dieters studied?

Did you know that in a University of Washington study, lack of water was cited as the number one trigger of daytime fatigue?

Preliminary research indicates that 8-10 glasses of water a day could significantly ease back and joint pain for up to 80% of sufferers. A mere 2% drop in body water can trigger fuzzy short-term memory, trouble with basic math, and difficulty focusing on the computer screen or on a printed page.

Drinking five glasses of water daily decreases the risk of colon cancer by 45%, plus it can slash the risk of breast cancer by 79%, and one is 50% less likely to develop bladder cancer.

Water is a fundamental part of our lives and has been ranked by experts as second only to oxygen as essential for life. The average adult body is 55 to 75% water. Everyday your body must replace two and a half quarts of it. Aside from aiding in digestion and absorption of food, water regulates body temperature and blood circulation, carries nutrients and oxygen to cells, and removes toxins and other wastes.

It also cushions joints and protects tissues and organs, including the spinal cord, from shock and damage. Conversely, dehydration can be the cause of many ailments, including hypertension, asthma, allergies, and migraine headaches.

How much water should you drink? A non-active person needs a half-ounce of water per pound of body weight per day. That's ten 8-ounce glasses a day if your weight is 160 pounds. For every 25 pounds you exceed your ideal weight, increase it by another 8-ounce glass. An active, athletic person needs two-thirds of an ounce per pound which is 13-14 eight-ounce glasses a day if you're 160 pounds. The more you exercise the more water you need. Spread out your water intake throughout the day. Do not drink more than four glasses within any given hour.

Water vs. other beverages. There's a difference between drinking pure water and beverages that contain water. Fruit juice, soft drinks, coffee, and the like may contain substances that aren't healthy. They may actually contradict some of the positive effects of the added water.

Caffeineated beverages stimulate the adrenal glands and act as diuretics, robbing your body of necessary water. Soft drinks contain phosphorus which can lead to depletion of bone calcium. Soda contains sodium; a 12 ounce can also contain the equivalent of up to nine teaspoons of sugar. Fruit juices contain a lot of sugar and stimulate the pancreas.

Dehydration. When the body is dehydrated, a form of rationing and distribution goes into play to ration the available water. Since the body has no reserve system, it operates a priority distribution system for the amount that has been made available by intake. The body's signals of dehydration are frequently joint pain, stomach pain and ulcers, back pain, low energy, and mental confusion and disorientation. Numerous disease symptoms respond to increased water intake.

Water and weight loss. Among its other benefits, water plays a major part in weight loss. Since it contains no calories, it can serve as an appetite suppressant. In the article "Water Bearers," (Shape magazine) Elizabeth Austin notes that "water is the single most important nutrient you take in every day. It's fat-free, cholesterol-free, low in sodium, and completely without calories." Also, drinking more water helps to reduce water retention by stimulating your kidneys. Studies have recommended that you should add a glass of water to your daily requirement (of eight glasses) for every 25 pounds over your recommended weight.

Any way you look at it, drinking water is a good habit. Insufficient water intake not only affects your overall health, but given that it can lead to short term memory loss and fatigue, it affects your safety awareness on the job, as well. Construction professionals put in long days and a tremendous amount of physical exertion. Make an effort to drink an appropriate amount of water every day and set an example at the job site. The benefits of good health will be worth the trouble.

To get you and your fellow workers involved in Save-A-Life certification, have your employer or union contact the MCTSI directly, to set up classes and obtain schedules. It can be reached at (800) 657-8345 or by e-mail at info@mctsi.org.