Page 35 - Charlie the Keen Kid

Water Environmental consciousness

The body relies on water to function properly and is an essential part of a healthy, balanced diet. An average child's body is A healthy environment is an integral part of human health. Children in particular are highly susceptible to any sort of toxins.
made up of approximately 60% of water.
Why are we children so sensitive to pollution?
Why should I drink water? • Children eat more food, drink more fluids and breathe more air per kilogram of body weight than adults. Children also
• The body loses water through breathing, sweating and digestion so we need to replace it daily. have a larger skin surface in proportion to their body size than adults. This means that their exposure to harm-causing
• Water helps regulate body temperature. substances is greater for their size compared to adults.
• Water helps protect the spinal cord and the brain. • Young children naturally explore their environment by putting objects in their mouth and are closer to the ground,
• Water acts as a lubricant and cushion for your joints. thereby frequently exposing themselves to possible toxins.
• Water helps the body remove waste. • Children are also more susceptible to the effects of toxins because their organs, such as their brains and livers, are

• Water helps break down the food you eat, allowing the nutrients to be absorbed into your body. still growing while at the same time their immune system and detoxification system are still developing and not fully
functional.
• Water is readily available, inexpensive and free of unwanted sugars and empty calories.
What happens if the environment is polluted?
What if I don’t drink water? • Exposure to air pollution impacts neuro-development and cognitive ability, and can trigger asthma and childhood
• If you don’t drink water, you become dehydrated and your urine looks darker. cancer. Children who have been exposed to high levels of air pollution are at greater risk to develop chronic diseases
• Dehydration can contribute to headaches, chronic pain, constipation and cognitive problems. Severe dehydration can later in life, such as cardiovascular disease.
be fatal. • Exposure to a variety of other toxicants such as mercury, lead, organophosphates and persistent organic compounds
• Drinking juice and soft drinks will add a significant amount of unwanted sugars, calories and added chemicals into (POC) can come from ingestion of contaminated food and water, agricultural spray drift, household chemicals, clothing,
your diet. furniture and personal care products. All these substances can interfere with the development of your child’s organs
and cause immediate and long-term health concerns.

How can I get my child to drink more water? How can I best protect my child?
• Filter tap water if required and store it in a glass or stainless steel bottle. • Buy as much locally grown wholefood as possible. This reduces transport- and manufacturing-related pollution.
• Add berries or sliced orange to give it some colour and flavour. • Buy food that doesn't require packaging to reduce waste.
• Use a soda maker if your child prefers sparkling water. • Buy organic food when possible (and reasonable) to minimise exposure to pesticides.
• Use glass or stainless steel containers for food storage.
• Use simple and natural cleaning agents.
• Buy clothing made from natural and untreated material, and don’t shy away from secondhand clothes.

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