Africa Water, Sanitation & Hygiene 2014 Sept - Oct Vol. 9 No.5 | Page 39

Health
Where do I get the water I need?
Most of your water
needs are met through
the water and beverages
you drink. You can get
some fluid through the foods you eat. For example, broth
soups and other foods that are 85% to 95% water such as
celery, tomatoes, oranges, and melons.
What does water do in my body?
Water helps your body with the following:
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Keeps its temperature normal.
Lubricates and cushions your joints.
Protects your spinal cord and other sensitive tissues.
Gets rid of wastes through urination, perspiration,
and bowel movements.

Why do I need to drink enough water each day?
You need water to replace what your body loses through
normal everyday functions. Of course, you lose water
when you go to the bathroom or sweat, but you even lose
small amounts of water when you exhale. You need to
replace this lost water to prevent dehydration.
Your body also needs more water when you are:

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In hot climates.
More physically active.
Running a fever.
Having diarrhea or vomiting.

To help you stay hydrated during prolonged physical
activity or when it is hot outside:
1. Drink fluid while doing the activity.
2. Drink several glasses of water or other fluid after
the physical activity is completed.
World Health Organization
Public Health Rules Needed to Curb E-Cigarette
Risks

prevent misleading marketing of the products and
to educate the public about the potential health risks
involved.
E-Cigarettes Emit Dangerous Toxins
E-cigarettes contain a battery that heats a nicotine fluid
inside the device until it produces a mist-like aerosol that
the user can inhale. According to the WHO report, the
aerosol contains “nicotine and a number of toxicants”
that pose health hazards to users and non-users, especially
pregnant women and children, contrary to claims that
these devices release nothing more than water vapor.
Nicotine use is linked to long-term adverse effects on brain
development. Moreover, the aerosol typically contains
“some carcinogenic compounds,” including formaldehyde.
Although the report finds that adult smokers who
completely switch from regular cigarettes to e-cigarettes
will be exposed to lower levels of toxins, WHO warns that
the “amount of risk reduction . . . is presently unknown.”
The report also notes uncertainty about whether secondhand exposure risks from e-cigarettes are lower than
regular cigarettes.
Is sparkling water as healthy as regular water?
With the rise of home soda
makers, many of us are drinking
more of the bubbly and less of
the still. Is that alright?
Sparkling water is often cited
as one of those healthy drinks
you’re supposed to switch to
when you quit sugary soda. It’s
sugar-free and calorie-free, and
it hydrates. Still, murky rumors
abound online about its potential
health drawbacks, including
that it erodes tooth enamel, saps calcium from the bones,
and leads to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). And, I
wondered, what if you drink a lot of it? Is ingesting all that
carbonation really good for us?
I reached out to two nutrition experts for their take.
The news was good: We’re used to thinking of bubbly
drinks as being bad for us - hello, soda - but carbonated
water is basically harmless.

Contrary to industry advertising, a new report by the
World Health Organization (WHO) finds that electronic
cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and other electronic nicotine
delivery systems pose significant public health hazards
because of toxins emitted from the devices. The agency
recommends that countries adopt e-cigarette rules to

“If somebody doesn’t like the taste of water, they
shouldn’t be concerned if sparkling is all they’re drinking,”
said Manhattan-based nutritionist Keri Gans, RDN,
CND. “Sparkling water is just as hydrating. All it is added
carbonation.”

Africa Water, Sanitation & Hygiene • September - October 2014

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