All About Water

The water cycle is the name given to the process that occurs in nature involving the chemical, water. The Sun heats the world’s oceans, which slowly evaporate, releasing water vapor into the atmosphere. As the water vapor rises, it cools and condenses into water droplets. These droplets form clouds, which release their water back to Earth as rainfall. Rivers carry the liquid water back into the sea, where the process begins again. The water cycle hydrates the Earth and makes human life possible.

Discovering The Cycle

People have asked the question, “What is the water cycle” ever since they have understood how water changes. Liquid water is the most powerful solvent yet discovered. Given enough time, water can dissolve almost anything. “What is the water cycle” has given rise to powerful ideas about nature. In time, the water cycle has proved to be one of the most astounding facts found in nature.

Freshwater

Water can be divided into two categories: freshwater and seawater. Seawater has a high salt content, which makes it bad for humans and animals to drink. Saltwater animals like fish can survive in seawater, but only freshwater is drinkable by land animals and humans. The supply of freshwater is important for the continued survival of most species of mammals.

Importance Of Freshwater To Life

Freshwater is created by the natural distillation that occurs during the water cycle. As the Sun heats the oceans, the evaporated water leaves the salt behind. The salt is too heavy to travel with the water, so the evaporated water is turned into freshwater. When this water falls as rain and snow, the lakes, rivers and streams carry the freshwater back into the ocean. The freshwater present in bodies like lakes and rivers is used by animals and humans for their needs. Humans use freshwater to drink and keep their work and living spaces clean. Animals also use it to bathe and drink.

Freshwater, Plant And Animal Life

Potable water is an important natural resource Life congregates around areas of freshwater created by the water cycle. In the Nile river delta in Egypt, greenery thrives due to the freshwater from the Nile. Surrounding the delta is a sea of sand, parched of almost every living thing. Water is essential for plant and animal life. Freshwater and plant and animal life are almost always found together. The water cycle makes life on Earth possible by making freshwater so widely available.

Drinking Water For Kids

By Jeff A Wise

We all know we need water to survive, but try convincing a seven-year-old of that fact. Lots of kids don’t like water and would rather have a sugary juice or soda pop. It’s the duty of the parent to ensure their child is getting enough water in their diet.

Why Drinking Water for Kids Is Important

Drinking water is a very important key to overall health for kids. Water is an essential nutrient that composes 50 to 60 percent of your total body weight. Water is the key component which transports other nutrients throughout your body to help build and repair cells. Blood needs water to carry oxygen throughout the body, which is why one would die if they were deprived of water for several days.

Although it varies from person to person, it is recommended that kids drink six to eight glasses of pure water per day. Additional amounts should be considered during warm weather and when exercising or just playing in the yard.

Sources of Drinking Water for Kids

While the best source is a glass of pure water, kids can also get water into their bodies though certain foods. Think of all the delicious fruits and vegetables that have large amounts of water: grapes, peaches, oranges, green pepper, tomatoes and celery.

Drinking Water for Kids Should Be Taught

It’s best to get kids in the habit of drinking water early. A child spoiled by flavorful drinks may start to refuse water altogether. Understand the dangers of those alternative drinks. Most soda pop is filled with sugar or the deadly sugar substitute aspartame which can be very unhealthy, not to mention most of these drinks have caffeine which is a diuretic and actually takes water out of your body.

One can of soda has about 10 teaspoons of sugar, 150 calories, 30 to 55 mg of caffeine and is loaded with preservatives and other artificial food colors and sulphites. Studies have linked soda to osteoporosis, obesity, tooth decay and heart disease.

Choose Drinking Water for Kids, Not Substitutes

Even juices are packed with sugar, and many have the same amount of sugar as sodas. It’s recommended to water down juices when given to children: no more than 50% juice and the rest water. Even in those cases, the amount of juice given to a child should be in small quantities.

For a child to drink a proper amount of water, the responsibility begins and ends with the parents. They have a great influence on their child’s drink intake. It’s best to lead by example. If a child sees his parents consistently drinking soda, they will also want soda.

Parents should do their best to provide pure drinking water for their kids and consume water filled fruits and vegetables. This will improve and maintain the health of the family.

If you are interested in learning more about kids health and nutrition then check out our special kids health and exercise section.

Source: Journal of the American Dietetic Association

Visit his website to find out more about kids exercise and nutrition.

http://www.myfamilyexercise.com

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