Water is a basic need. It is crucial to our survival. How much? Well, that depends on many factors: size, level of physical activity, climate in which you live, and your diet. The answer must come from our own experience. Having a water bottle with measurements on it and paying attention to how many ounces you are getting on average in a day and how you feel, will give you a good idea of what you personally need. A large majority of the American population is dehydrated, which contributes significantly to a poor state of health. The late Dr. Fereydoon Batmanghelidj, and Iranian-born physician, concluded in his best-selling book, Your Body's Many Cries for Water, that ordinary water can prevent and cure depression, asthma, arthritis, back pain, migraines, high blood pressure, multiple sclerosis, and many other illnesses. He often said, "You are not sick, you are thirsty, don't treat thirst with medication." Put this claim to test in your life. Before you reach for a pill bottle, make sure you are will hydrated. The side effects of water are non-existent. It's worth a try. Regularly flushing out the kidneys and bladder with water ensures that dead cells and other waste products can be expelled before they reach toxic levels. Maintaining hydration can prevent premature aging, eliminate pain and headaches, lessen hypertension, and promote weight loss.