Freshwater is the bloodstream of the planet, and agriculture is the world’s thirstiest consumer. Here’s why water conservation matters now more than ever and how to build a water-friendly routine on your journey to a healthier you.
Drinking plenty of water is perhaps the first fundamental you learn about when deciding to pursue a healthier lifestyle. Pretty much every eating plan urges you to replenish with plenty of it (up to 60% of your body is water) so that you can optimize your biology and make weight loss easier. As a dietitian, I, too, have been doling out this advice for decades.
But if water is an essential molecule for your body, think of freshwater as the bloodstream of the food system: Globally, 70% of all freshwater withdrawn is used for agriculture. And our Western eating style soaks up more water than any other – putting particularly high pressure on this resource.
If you grew up like I did with unlimited access to water, this can feel like a faraway topic. However, it turns out your water footprint extends far beyond your city or even the country you live in. Even though you may be using only a few liters each day, far more than that lies hidden in your food and beverages. A 2018 study by the European Commission found that 3,000 liters of water is required to produce one day’s worth of food for a single British citizen.
Why does the size of your water footprint matter? Water scarcity already affects every continent, according to the World Health Organization, and by 2025, half of the world’s population will be living in water-stressed areas. Reducing your impact now is key.
Are You Choosing the Thirstiest Foods?
This story is from the July - August 2019 edition of Clean Eating.
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This story is from the July - August 2019 edition of Clean Eating.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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