Believe it or not, between 60% and 70% of your body is made up of water. This makes water the one thing without which the human cannot function. H.H. Mitchell states in the Journal of Biological Chemistry that the lungs are about 83% water, the muscles and kidneys are 79% water, the heart and brain are composed of 73% water, the skin is around 64% water, and even the bones consist of in the region of 31% water.
Functions of the Water in Your Body
Although or body consists mainly of water, the level of water in the body is not constant as we lose fluid throughout the day via sweating, breathing, urinating, and various other means. This lost fluid must be replaced regularly as it is vital that the balance of fluids in the body is maintained for optimal health.
Virtually every cell in your body needs and uses water for various functions, including:
- The formation of saliva which helps with digestion
- Keeping the mucous membranes moist
- The building of every cell
- Lubricating of joints
- Flushing toxins and body waste
- Delivery of oxygen throughout the body
- Converting food to make it digestible so that the body can use it for fuel
- Acting as a shock absorber for spinal cord, brain and amniotic fluid
- Regulation of the internal body temperature via sweating and respiration
- Helping the heart pump blood through blood vessels to the muscles more easily
- Helping the muscles to remove waste products so that they can work more efficiently
How Much Water Does the Body Need?
The amount of water required depends on various factors, including how much you weigh, how much physical exercise you do, the climate in which you live and work, and the condition of your health. There are certain medical conditions that will entail you drinking more water than normal to prevent the heart being over-taxed. Such conditions include diabetes and various heart diseases.
One also needs more or less water according to age:
- Babies have the most water in their bodies at around 78%
- Infants have approximately 65%
- Grown women have around 55% water in their body fat which contains less water than lean tissue
- Adult men have between 60% and 70% water
The best way to ensure that the balance of liquids in your body is maintained is to drink water. Even though we can get fluids from tea, coffee, juices, and fruit and vegetables that have a high water content, drinking water is still the best. This is because the body does not only lose water via sweat, but also electrolytes which need to be replaced.
Pregnant women and new mothers must ensure that they drink water regularly as they need to stay fully hydrated in order to combat constipation, increase the blood volume, assist the kidney and liver functions, and produce enough breast milk for the baby.
Source:
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