By Alexandra Blockton
ablockton@lc.edu
Speech originally prepared for Ms. Mary Busler’s Public Speaking Class, 2020.
Hello, my name is Alexandra. How are you all doing today? I am here today because I would like you all to understand the importance of drinking water. Water alone accounts for about 60 percent of an adult’s body weight. Imagine drinking a nice cold glass of water in a 15-month span. From April 25, 2014 to Oct. 15, 2015 (the period when the Flint River was used for drinking water), the levels of lead in Flint tap water increased over time. An analysis of children’s blood-lead data detected an increase in blood levels, which was nearly 50 percent higher after the switch to Flint River water. The Center for Disease and Control (CDC) website continues to recommend that all children under age 6 living in the city of Flint have their blood tested for lead and to make sure it is not absorbed into the skin. Parents should watch young children to prevent them from drinking bath water.
We should be very thankful here in Alton, Illinois compared to what residents in Flint, Michigan are going through. We should consider drinking water more, not only because it is clean, but because of the overall health it brings. We as human beings are able to seek benefits from drinking water.
I was able to find the factual statistics on other beverages that we as humans consume…..
Can you believe:
-Lemonade intake is at 168 calories in just 12 ounces
-Regular Lemon/Lime soda intake is 148 calories in 12 ounces (and some of us drink a 2-liter soda daily!)
-Regular Cola intake is 136 calories in 12 ounces
-Sweetened, lemon iced tea (bottled, not homemade) is 135 calories in 12 ounces
-This one really caught me off guard, sports drink intake is 99 calories in 12 ounces
-Chocolate Milk (whole) intake is 208 calories
-Wow, Whole Milk (unflavored) is 150 calories
-2% reduced fat milk (unflavored) is 120 calories
-Fat-Free Milk (unflavored) is 90 calories
It is very important that we drink water throughout our daily lives when compared to other cities and states, such as Flint, Michigan, and the issues they have been and currently still are facing with their water today. We should be very thankful our water is clean without giving us complications with our health. Due to issues of not drinking water, there is always a solution to the problem!
According to CDC, Flint residents are advised to use lead certified water filters that are properly installed and maintained on their household taps and to use filtered water for drinking, cooking and brushing teeth. During the investigation, blood-lead levels were higher after switching to Flint River. Individuals should realize how important it is to drink more water throughout our daily routine and how we should appreciate the fact our water is much cleaner than other states in the United States, as well as other countries throughout the world!
Control measures are activities or processes within the drinking-water supply used to eliminate or significantly reduce the occurrence of a water safety hazard. These measures are applied collectively to ensure that there are drinking water supplies in the world. It is proven to be known men 19 and older should drink 13 cups, or 104 ounces, daily and women 19 and older should drink 9 cups, or 72 ounces, daily. Without drinking more water, symptoms of dehydration may occur with as little as a two percent water deficit: fatigue, confusion or short-term memory loss and mood changes like increased irritability or depression. Dehydration can increase the risk of certain medical conditions: urinary tract infections, kidney stones, gallstones or constipation
Carry a water bottle for easy access when you are at work or out running errands. Freeze some freezer-safe water bottles, and you can take one with you for ice-cold water all day long. Choosing water instead of sugar-sweetened beverages can help with weight-management, and replacing a 20-ounce sugar-sweetened soda with water will save you about 240 calories. Choose water when eating out; generally, you will save money and reduce calories. Add a wedge of lime or lemon to your water, this can help improve the taste and help you drink more water than you usually do.
Water helps your body by:
-Keeping your temperature normal
-Lubricating and cushioning joints
-Protecting your spinal cord and other sensitive tissues
-Getting rid of wastes through urination, perspiration and bowel movements
-Improving memory
Your body needs more water when you are:
-In hot climates
-More physically active
-Running a fever
-While having diarrhea or vomiting
Benefits of drinking water are:
-Carrying nutrients and oxygen to your cells
-Flushing bacteria from the bladder
-Aiding digestion
-Preventing constipation
-Normalizing blood pressure
-Stabilizing the heartbeat
-Protecting organs and tissues
-Maintaining electrolyte (sodium) balance
Currently, we all drink water! It would be very beneficial to improve our daily habits of drinking more water. Imagine drinking more water! Based on the facts I have presented to you, we should definitely want to!
