From the E-Mail Bag

Because cool, clear water is a life force in many manufacturing operations -- it cools, cleans and can be counted on to run pure and steady -- we thought you might enjoy these interesting factoids about water that landed in our e-mail bag.

  • 75 percent of Americans are chronically dehydrated.

  • In 37 percent of Americans, the thirst mechanism is so weak that it often is mistaken for hunger.

  • Even mild dehydration will slow down one's metabolism as much as 3 percent.

  • One glass of water shuts down midnight hunger pains for almost 100 percent of the dieters studied in a University of Washington study.

  • Lack of water is the No. 1 trigger of daytime fatigue.

  • Preliminary research indicates that eight to 10 glasses of water per day could significantly ease back and joint pain for up to 80 percent of sufferers.

  • A mere 2 percent drop in body water can trigger fuzzy short-term memory, trouble with basic math and difficulty focusing on the computer screen or on a printed page.

  • Drinking five glasses of water daily decreases the risk of colon cancer by 45 percent, breast cancer by 79 percent and bladder cancer by 50 percent.

  • Are you drinking the amount of water you should everyday?