Kids Require Just as Much Drinking Water as Adults, According to Experts

They may be tiny, but their water needs are not. Children, experts say, should be as well hydrated as adults, if not more.

“The standard recommendations are that children should drink six to eight glasses of water a day,” says Melina Jampolis, M.D., a nutrition and fitness expert at CNNHealth. “Mild dehydration can affect learning and mental and physical performance.”

Jampolis’ assertion is backed up by a recent report from Tufts College, which found that children can become cranky with even mild thirst. In school-age children, dehydration – even at low levels – can impair cognitive function, says lead researcher Kristen D’Anci, Ph.D.

Dehydration can affect learning and mental and physical performance.

Realistically, though, parents know how difficult it is to get kids to drink any water at all, let alone enough. So the following tips can help concerned parents find ways to help their kids drink more of what’s good for them:

They may be tiny, but their water needs are not. Children, experts say, should be as well hydrated as adults, if not more.

“The standard recommendations are that children should drink six to eight glasses of water a day,” says Melina Jampolis, M.D., a nutrition and fitness expert at CNNHealth. “Mild dehydration can affect learning and mental and physical performance.”

Jampolis’ assertion is backed up by a recent report from Tufts College, which found that children can become cranky with even mild thirst. In school-age children, dehydration – even at low levels – can impair cognitive function, says lead researcher Kristen D’Anci, Ph.D.

what’s good for them

Realistically, though, parents know how difficult it is to get kids to drink any water at all, let alone enough. So the following tips can help concerned parents find ways to help their kids drink more of what’s good for them:

• Provide water. Put a pitcher of water in the refrigerator (studies show that children are more likely to drink cold water than room temperature), provide water bottles that can be filled, or keep bottles on hand. This way, there are no more excuses. You may also consider offering water that has slightly alkaline properties, such as Alkame Water. Ionized water has smaller molecular clusters that can penetrate the body’s cells more quickly and hydrate the body more fully and effectively. This allows the small body to better absorb water and minerals and flush out toxins. Another advantage? Alkame is the only water patented for high levels of stabilized dissolved oxygen.
• Takeaway. Children imitate what they see. So when you and your little ones are out and about, be sure to carry water for you and your child. If you take a sip of water throughout the day, your kids probably will, too. Also, take water to the park, family picnics and other outings.
• Serve foods that contain water. If all else fails, serve healthy foods that contain water, such as soup, fruit and milk, which can be 80 to 90 percent water. Watermelon, for example, is usually a kid-friendly favorite and a great watery fruit.