Why water?
-Water has a lot of important health benefits. Sixty percent of our body is made of water.
-Inadequate water consumption can have negative consequences on children’s overall health and their ability to learn.
-Children who are dehydrated tend to experience a drop in their cognitive performance, particularly short-term memory and concentration.
-Water is crucial for kidney and skin health as well as proper digestion.
-Drinking water helps maintain a healthy weight and boosts the immune system.
Why Not Sugar Sweetened Beverages?
-Consumption of sugary beverages is the single largest contributor of calories and added sugars to our diet. These calories contribute to weight gain and provide little to no nutritional value.
-One 10 oz. bottle of Fruit Punch has 38g of sugar, equivalent to about 10 chocolate chip cookies. One 20 ounce soda has 17 teaspoons of sugar.
-In Colorado, approximately 1 in 3 adults and 1 in 5 children consume at least one sugary drink per day. By drinking one sugary drink a day, a child has 25% increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, 55% greater risk of being overweight or obese, and 150% greater risk of developing fat deposits in their liver, contributing to diabetes and heart disease.
-Sugary drinks are associated with nearly twice the risk of dental cavities in children.
Water and Sugary Drinks Resources
Jeffco Schools Healthy Beverages For Students and Families
Sugar: Too Much of a Sweet Thing
Benefits of Water
Sugar and Health At a Glance
Sugar Sweetened Beverages