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How water is used in the body. The Vital Role of Water in the Human Body: Composition, Function, and Health Benefits

What percentage of the human body is water. How does water content vary among different organs. Why is maintaining optimal hydration crucial for overall health. Discover the fascinating relationship between water and the human body.

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The Composition of Water in the Human Body

Water is an essential component of the human body, playing a crucial role in numerous physiological processes. The percentage of water in the body varies depending on several factors, including age, sex, and body composition. On average, adult men have about 60% of their body weight as water, while adult women have approximately 50%.

How is water distributed throughout the body? The total body water (TBW) is divided into two main compartments:

  • Intracellular fluid: Comprises two-thirds of the total body water and is found inside cells
  • Extracellular fluid: Makes up one-third of the total body water and includes interstitial fluid (between cells) and blood plasma

Can the water content in the body change over time? Indeed, it can. The percentage of water in the body typically decreases with age, ranging from about 78% in infants to as low as 45% in the elderly. Factors such as diet, nutritional status, and overall health can also influence the body’s water content.

Water Distribution in Various Organs

The water content varies significantly among different organs in the human body. Understanding this distribution helps us appreciate the importance of hydration for specific bodily functions.

Organs with High Water Content

Which organs contain the highest percentage of water? Here’s a breakdown of the organs with the highest water content:

  • Brain: 80-85%
  • Kidneys: 80-85%
  • Heart: 75-80%
  • Lungs: 75-80%
  • Liver: 70-75%
  • Muscles: 70-75%
  • Skin: 70-75%

Why do these organs have such high water content? The primary reason is their cellular composition and function. Organs that are large and highly cellular contain a higher percentage of total body water, as two-thirds of water is found inside cells.

Organs with Low Water Content

Are there organs with significantly lower water content? Yes, some body parts have notably less water:

  • Teeth: 8%
  • Bones: 20-25%

The low water content in teeth and bones is primarily due to their composition of mineralized hydroxyapatite crystals, which do not contain water. It’s worth noting that while not an organ, blood is approximately 50% water.

Gender Differences in Body Water Percentage

The water content in human bodies differs between males and females, primarily due to variations in body composition.

Water Percentage in Females

What is the typical water percentage in the female body? According to a 2005 study by the US National Academy of Sciences, the water percentage in the female body ranges from 41% to 61%, with an average of 50% by weight. This translates to approximately 31 liters or 8 gallons for a 70kg (154lb) female.

Why do women generally have a lower water percentage than men? The primary factors are:

  • Higher percentage of body fat
  • Lower percentage of muscle mass

Adipocytes (fat cells) hold significantly less water than myocytes (muscle cells), contributing to the overall lower water percentage in females.

Water Percentage in Males

How does the water percentage differ in males? Men tend to have a wider range of body water percentage, from 43% to 73%, with a higher average of 59%. For a 70kg (154lb) male, this equates to about 42 liters or 11 gallons of water.

Why do men typically have a higher water percentage? The main reason is their higher percentage of muscle mass, which contains more water than fat tissue.

Water Content in Children and Infants

The water content in children’s bodies is notably different from that of adults, changing significantly during the first years of life.

How much water do children’s bodies contain? In the first year of life, the water percentage ranges from 60% to 75%. This percentage gradually decreases to adult levels by puberty. At birth, an infant’s total body water is approximately 75% of their weight.

Why do infants have a higher water percentage? The primary reasons include:

  • More water in the extracellular compartment
  • Lower body fat percentage
  • Higher metabolic rate

As children grow, their extracellular fluid volume decreases and body fat increases, leading to a gradual reduction in total body water percentage.

The Crucial Functions of Water in the Body

Water plays an indispensable role in numerous bodily functions, making it essential for overall health and well-being.

What are the key functions of water in the human body?

  1. Temperature regulation: Water helps maintain body temperature through sweating and respiration.
  2. Nutrient transport: It carries nutrients and oxygen to cells throughout the body.
  3. Waste removal: Water assists in flushing out toxins and waste products.
  4. Joint lubrication: It helps cushion and lubricate joints.
  5. Cellular function: Water is crucial for various cellular processes and chemical reactions.
  6. Digestion: It aids in the breakdown and absorption of nutrients.
  7. Blood volume maintenance: Water is a major component of blood, helping maintain proper blood volume and pressure.

How does proper hydration contribute to overall health? Maintaining adequate hydration levels supports optimal organ function, helps prevent constipation, reduces the risk of kidney stones, and may even aid in weight management.

Water and Body Weight: Understanding the Connection

The relationship between water and body weight is complex and often misunderstood. Understanding this connection can help individuals better manage their health and weight goals.

How much of your body weight is water? As previously mentioned, the average adult male’s body is about 60% water, while the average adult female’s body is about 50% water. This means that a significant portion of your body weight is attributed to water.

Does drinking water help with weight loss? While water itself doesn’t have any magical weight loss properties, it can support weight loss efforts in several ways:

  • Increased satiety: Drinking water before meals can help you feel fuller, potentially reducing calorie intake.
  • Improved metabolism: Proper hydration is essential for optimal metabolic function.
  • Replacement for high-calorie beverages: Choosing water over sugary drinks can significantly reduce calorie consumption.
  • Enhanced exercise performance: Proper hydration can improve physical performance, potentially leading to more effective workouts.

It’s important to note that while increasing water intake can support weight loss efforts, it should be part of a comprehensive approach that includes a balanced diet and regular physical activity.

Maintaining Optimal Hydration: Tips and Strategies

Maintaining proper hydration is crucial for overall health and well-being. But how can you ensure you’re getting enough water throughout the day?

What is the optimal daily water intake? While individual needs vary, a general guideline is:

  • For men: About 3.7 liters (15.5 cups) of total water intake per day
  • For women: About 2.7 liters (11.5 cups) of total water intake per day

These figures include water from all sources, including food and other beverages. It’s important to note that factors such as climate, physical activity level, and overall health can influence individual hydration needs.

How can you improve your daily water intake? Here are some practical tips:

  1. Carry a reusable water bottle: Having water readily available can encourage more frequent sipping throughout the day.
  2. Set reminders: Use smartphone apps or alarms to remind you to drink water regularly.
  3. Flavor your water: Add slices of fruit or herbs to make water more appealing.
  4. Eat water-rich foods: Incorporate foods with high water content, such as cucumbers, watermelon, and zucchini, into your diet.
  5. Drink water with meals: Make it a habit to have a glass of water with each meal.
  6. Monitor your urine color: Pale yellow urine generally indicates good hydration, while dark yellow or amber urine suggests you need to drink more water.

By implementing these strategies, you can help ensure that your body maintains optimal hydration levels, supporting overall health and well-being.

The Impact of Dehydration on Health and Performance

Dehydration occurs when the body loses more fluid than it takes in, leading to an insufficient amount of water and other fluids to carry out normal functions. Understanding the effects of dehydration is crucial for maintaining good health and optimal performance.

What are the signs and symptoms of dehydration? Common indicators include:

  • Thirst
  • Dry mouth and lips
  • Decreased urine output or dark-colored urine
  • Fatigue
  • Dizziness
  • Headache
  • Decreased skin elasticity

How does dehydration affect physical performance? Even mild dehydration can have significant impacts:

  1. Reduced endurance
  2. Decreased strength
  3. Impaired cognitive function
  4. Increased perceived effort during exercise
  5. Elevated heart rate
  6. Decreased sweat rate, leading to impaired thermoregulation

Can dehydration affect mental performance? Indeed, it can. Studies have shown that even mild dehydration can impair cognitive functions such as concentration, alertness, and short-term memory.

What are the long-term health risks associated with chronic dehydration? Prolonged insufficient hydration can lead to:

  • Increased risk of kidney stones
  • Urinary tract infections
  • Constipation
  • Hypertension
  • Impaired glucose regulation

By understanding the importance of proper hydration and recognizing the signs of dehydration, individuals can take proactive steps to maintain optimal fluid balance and support overall health and performance.

Water Quality and Its Impact on Health

The quality of water we consume plays a crucial role in our health and well-being. While water is essential for life, contaminated water can pose serious health risks.

What are common contaminants found in drinking water? Some potential pollutants include:

  • Microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, parasites)
  • Heavy metals (lead, mercury, arsenic)
  • Pesticides and herbicides
  • Nitrates and nitrites
  • Industrial chemicals
  • Pharmaceuticals

How can poor water quality affect health? Consuming contaminated water can lead to various health issues, including:

  1. Gastrointestinal illnesses
  2. Reproductive problems
  3. Neurological disorders
  4. Increased cancer risk
  5. Cardiovascular diseases

What steps can be taken to ensure safe drinking water? Here are some measures to consider:

  • Use water filters: Home water filtration systems can remove many contaminants.
  • Test your water: Regular testing, especially for private wells, can identify potential issues.
  • Stay informed: Keep up with local water quality reports and advisories.
  • Consider bottled water: In areas with known water quality issues, bottled water may be a safer option.
  • Properly maintain plumbing: Old pipes can leach contaminants into water, so regular maintenance is important.

By being aware of water quality issues and taking appropriate precautions, individuals can help ensure that the water they consume supports rather than hinders their health.

The Role of Water in Disease Prevention and Management

Proper hydration plays a significant role in preventing and managing various health conditions. Understanding this relationship can help individuals make informed decisions about their water intake as part of a comprehensive health strategy.

How does adequate hydration contribute to disease prevention? Proper water intake can help:

  • Reduce the risk of urinary tract infections by flushing out bacteria
  • Prevent kidney stones by diluting stone-forming substances in urine
  • Support heart health by maintaining proper blood volume and reducing strain on the cardiovascular system
  • Aid in weight management, potentially reducing the risk of obesity-related diseases
  • Improve skin health, potentially reducing the risk of certain skin conditions

Can proper hydration help manage existing health conditions? Yes, maintaining adequate hydration can be beneficial in managing several health issues:

  1. Diabetes: Proper hydration can help regulate blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of diabetic ketoacidosis.
  2. Hypertension: Adequate water intake can help maintain healthy blood pressure levels.
  3. Arthritis: Staying hydrated helps maintain synovial fluid in joints, potentially reducing pain and improving mobility.
  4. Asthma: Proper hydration can help thin mucus secretions, potentially easing breathing difficulties.
  5. Migraines: Some studies suggest that increasing water intake may help reduce the frequency and intensity of migraines in some individuals.

How does hydration status affect the immune system? Proper hydration supports immune function by:

  • Aiding in the production and movement of lymph, which carries immune cells throughout the body
  • Supporting the mucus membranes in the respiratory system, which act as a barrier against pathogens
  • Helping flush toxins from the body through urine and sweat

By recognizing the important role of hydration in disease prevention and management, individuals can make conscious efforts to maintain optimal water intake as part of their overall health strategy.

What Percentage of the Human Body is Water?
– Svalbarði Polar Iceberg Water

The percentage (total amount of water content) in the body by mass can range from 78% in infants to as little as 45% in the elderly.

Total body water (TBW) is made up of the percentages of water present in the body’s various fluid compartments. According to Boron’s Textbook of Medical Physiology, water in the human body is found in what are referred to as intracellular and extracellular fluid compartments.

The intracellular fluid compartment refers to the total space inside cells. Two-thirds of the body’s total water is found here. The extracellular fluid compartment refers to both the space between cells (referred to as “interstitial” fluid) and to blood plasma. Combined, these contain one-third of the total water in the body.

Knowing about these compartments is important because age, sex, nutritional status, and body composition-dependent shifts in the fluid content of the intracellular and extracellular fluid compartments are what produce variability in the percentage of total body water throughout one’s life.

Variations in diet found in different countries make it more likely for countries with higher obesity rates to see lower average total body water. This is because fat has a lower percentage of water than muscle.

The typical percentage of the human body that is water is 60% in adult men according to Dr. Jeffrey Utz of Allegheny University and 50% in adult women according to the US National Academy of Sciences.

 

Table of Contents

  • Which Organs In The Human Body Have A Higher Percentage Of Water?
  • Which Organs In The Human Body Have A Lower Percentage Of Water?
  • What Is The Water Percentage In The Female Body?
  • What Is The Water Percentage In The Male Body?
  • What Is The Water Percentage In A Child’s Body?
  • How Is The Water Percentage In Animal Bodies Different From The Human Body?
  • How Does Water Help Body Functions?
    • How Much Of Your Body Weight Is Water?
      • Does Drinking Water Help For Weight Loss?
    • What Is The Optimum Percentage Of Water In The Body?

Which Organs In The Human Body Have A Higher Percentage Of Water?

The organs in the human body with the highest percentages of water are the brain (80-85%), kidneys (80-85%), heart (75-80%), lungs (75-80%), liver (70-75%), muscles (70-75%), and skin (70-75%). The brain and kidneys are the organs with the highest percentage of water according to the Canadian BCcampus Human Anatomy and Physiology textbook. The percentage of water in these organs is outlined in this graphic.

The reason different organs in the human body have different percentages of water is their different functions. Because two-thirds of total body water is contained inside cells, organs that are large and highly cellular contain a higher percentage of total body water.

Which Organs In The Human Body Have A Lower Percentage Of Water?

The organs with the lowest percentage of water in the human body are the teeth (8%) and bones (20-25%) according to the Human Anatomy and Physiology textbook.

This is explained partly by the fact that teeth and bone are primarily composed of mineralized hydroxyapatite crystals which do not contain water.

While not an organ, blood is approximately 50% water.

What Is The Water Percentage In The Female Body?

The water percentage in the female body ranges from 41% to 61% and averages 50% by weight according to a 2005 study by the US National Academy of Sciences entitled Dietary Reference Intakes for Water, Potassium, Sodium, Chloride, and Sulfate. The 50% average is equal to approximately 31 liters or 8 gallons for a 70kg/154lb female.

The lower percentage of total body water in females versus men is accounted for by their greater percentage of body fat and a lower percentage of muscle mass. This is relevant because adipocytes (fat cells) hold much less water than myocytes (muscle cells).

What Is The Water Percentage In The Male Body?

The water percentage in the male body has a wider range than women at 43% to 73%, with a higher average of 59% according to the 2005 US National Academy of Sciences study. The 59% average is equal to approximately 42 liters or 11 gallons for a 70kg/154lb male. The higher percentage of total body water in males versus women is explained by their higher percentage of muscle mass, which has higher water content than fat cells.

What Is The Water Percentage In A Child’s Body?

The water percentage in a child’s body ranges from 60% to 75% in the first year of life and falls slowly to adult levels by puberty. In infants and children, the total body water percentage is higher due to there being more water in the extracellular compartment.

According to the Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics, at birth, an infant’s total body water is approximately 75% of their weight. However, as extracellular fluid volume decreases and body fat increases during the first year of life, total body water percentage will decrease to 65% at 6 months and 60% at 1 year. Total body water percentage will continue to decrease until puberty when adult values will finally be reached.

How Is The Water Percentage In Animal Bodies Different From The Human Body?

The water percentage in animal bodies tends to be higher than the human body, though with some notable exceptions. Biopsychologist Israel Ramirez of the Monell Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia says this is because humans have a higher percentage of body fat than animals, with fat containing less water than muscles and organs. Another factor may be that the water in the digestive tract makes up an appreciable percentage of total body water in several mammalian species, but not humans.

Most animals tend to have a Total Body Water (TBW) percentage in the low- to upper-70% range, with some clear outliers:

  • Mammals. One study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reported mean values for the percentage of total body water for the majority of species ranged between 70% and 76%. A century-old survey in 1921 by C.R. Moulton of the Institute of American Meat Packers found percentages for mature animals of around 71% for dogs and cats, 74% for pigs, 76% for mice, and 73% for rats and rabbits.
  • Fish. Another nearly century-old study from the Zoological Laboratory of the University of Wisconsin in 1925 took samples of perch and trout. They found that most had a body water percentage in the mid- to upper-70% range. At an even further extreme, and admittedly not actually in the fish category, a 1942 study in the journal Nature found a Jellyfish was 95.6% water.
  • Reptiles. A 1999 study by Michael J. Angilletta Jr. in the journal Copeia of the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, measured the water in 37 lizards in South Carolina and found most were fairly close to the average of 72%. However, when it comes to snakes, a 2003 study by Stephen M Secor of the Depart of Biology at the University of Mississippi found 20 diamondback water snakes averaged only 65% body water by mass.
  • Birds. A 1984 study in the journal The Condor of The Cooper Ornithological Society stated that adult birds of virtually all sizes have total body water of about 60%. They point out that while young birds are up to 80% water, this decreases with age and would make it difficult to fly. Stripping out some outlier results which they doubted the methodology of, their survey of 22 different species of marine and aquatic birds found mean percentages ranging from 57% to 68%.

How Does Water Help Body Functions?

Water helps body functions by acting as a vital nutrient supporting numerous critical roles including as a building material, solvent, participant in enzymatic reactions, transporter of nutrients and wastes, thermoregulator, lubricant, and in maintaining vascular volume. A study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition detailed these roles as follows:

  • Building material: Water is present inside every one of our cells.
  • Solvent: Water allows various ionic compounds such as electrolytes, amino acids, and glucose to dissolve in it.
  • Enzymatic reactions: Water participates in numerous enzymatic reactions. For example, the process called hydrolysis which involves using H₂O to break apart protein, carbohydrate, and lipid macronutrients into their amino acid constituents which are better used by our bodies.
  • Transporter: Water functions as a transporter that allows for the maintenance of cellular homeostasis by transporting nutrients to cells and removing excess waste from them. And it allows various transport systems to function, allowing for the exchange of gasses and nutrients, which is essential for the proper functioning of all body systems.
  • Maintaining vascular volume: Water in the form of plasma allows red blood cells to circulate throughout the body. All body systems require water for adequate hydration and oxygenation.
  • Thermoregulation: Water allows for body heat loss through sweating.
  • Lubricant: Water in combination with other viscous compounds acts as a lubricant for joints as well as for gastrointestinal, respiratory, and genitourinary tracts.

Because of these roles, a decrease in total body water content, such as in various states of dehydration, can negatively impact the body’s proper functioning and homeostasis.

How Much Of Your Body Weight Is Water?

Adults Have 50-59% of their body weight as water on average. In females, due to a higher body fat content and lower muscle mass, total body water content by mass is lower, averaging 50%. For a 70kg/154lb female, this is approximately 31 liters or 8 gallons of total body water. Of which 60% or 21 liters is located in the intracellular fluid compartment and 40% or 14 liters in the extracellular fluid compartment for female humans.

In male humans, due to lower body fat content and higher muscle mass, total body water content by mass is higher, averaging 60%. For a 70kg/154lb male, this is equal to approximately 42 liters or 11 gallons of total body water. Of which 60% or 25 liters is located in the intracellular fluid compartment and 40% or 17 liters is located in the extracellular fluid compartment.

It is important to remember that as humans age, they experience changes in their total fat and muscle content, as well as changes to their extracellular fluid volumes. This introduces variability in the water content of the body and its relationship to one’s weight, with the percentage of total body water generally decreasing with age. The chart below displays the fluctuation in body fat percentage in males and females of various age ranges.

Does Drinking Water Help For Weight Loss?

Yes, drinking water does appear to help weight loss. However, the exact mechanism is not fully known.

An article published in the journal Obesity assessed the effects of increased water intake in conjunction with a hypocaloric diet (a very low-calorie intake diet) on weight loss in middle-aged and older adults. It found that water consumption prior to daily meals led to a roughly 2kg increase in weight loss over 12 weeks as compared to a hypocaloric diet alone.

They ascribed this ability to the fact that consuming water with meals reduces sensations of hunger and increases the sensation of fullness which both cause an acute reduction in the amount of caloric intake during each meal.

Additionally, they surmise that increased consumption of water substitutes the consumption of energy-containing beverages in the diet, which can further reduce weight.

Their findings are corroborated by several other studies, including a study entitled “Drinking water is associated with weight loss in overweight dieting women independent of diet and activity” by Dr. Jodi Stookey of the Children’s Hospital Oakland Research Institute in the United States. The study found that an increase in water consumption (greater than or equal to 1 liter/day) when combined with a hypocaloric diet was associated with an average 2. 3 kg (5 lb) decrease in body weight. This change was paralleled by a decrease in both waist circumference and percent body fat.

The concept of how water consumption can promote weight loss as one of the benefits of drinking water is discussed further by dietitian Joe Leech MSc in the video below.

What Is The Optimum Percentage Of Water In The Body?

There is no scientifically established optimum percentage of water in the body, though the average is 50% for adult men, 59% for adult women, 75% for infants at birth, 56% for elderly males, and 47% for elderly females.

The amount of water in the body in the short term varies based on the balance between intake and loss. The human body obtains water primarily by absorbing dietary H₂O from the digestive tract and by producing minute amounts of H₂O during the metabolism of nutrients. While the loss of body water is accomplished primarily by urinary excretion, evaporation during sweating, respiration, and defecation.

It is this give-and-take process of various complex mechanisms that allows the human body to maintain a balanced percentage of water in the body, as illustrated in these calculations from a 2010 paper from the University of Lausanne in Switzerland.

Water Input

Water Output

Water from beverages 1.5 L

Urine 1.5 L

Water from food 0.7 L

Sweating 0.45 L

Water from metabolic reactions 0.3L

Respiration 0.35 L

Total water input 2.5 L/day

Feces 0.2 L

Total water output 2.5 L/day

To answer the question of what the optimum percentage of water in someone’s body is quite difficult as it varies based on one’s age, sex, nutritional status, environment, and even level of activity.

Instead, it is better to concern ourselves with making sure that we are adequately hydrated so our physiologic mechanisms can maintain the optimum water percentage necessary for our bodies. Healthy adults should drink at least 1½ to 2 quarts (approximately 2 liters) of fluids a day. Under normal circumstances drinking more is usually better than drinking less, because excreting excess water is much easier for the body than conserving water.

Where does water go after drinking it? The Explanation of Water Absorp

 

All forms of living things need water to survive. Water is accessible from a water fountain, a rain cloud, or even from a plastic bottle. We can all agree that without water, your body would stop working properly.

As you know, water makes up more than half of your body weight. But, how long could your body last without water? Did you know that a person can go for more than three weeks without food? But water is a different story. Unlike food, the maximum time a person can go without water seems to be only a week.

In this article, you’ll find out not only the number of benefits your body can get in drinking water but, most importantly, where it goes after drinking it. How does water absorb into a body? So, don’t stop reading until the bottom of this page to get what you want.

 

The Water and Your Body

The average body of an adult human being contains over 70% water. Most of the water in the human body is contained inside our cells, two-thirds of the water you drink. Did you know that our billions of cells must have water to live?

 

Key Facts:

  • The total amount of water in our body is found in three main locations: within our cells (two-thirds of the water), in the space between our cells and our blood (one-third of the water).
  • The amount of water a body contains varies according to certain contexts: The body of a newborn is composed of more water (75%) than that of an older person (50%).
  • The body holds on to water when you don’t have enough or gets rid of it if you have too much. If your pee is very light yellow, you are well hydrated. When your pee is very dark yellow, it’s probably time to drink up.
  • Water act as a lubricant to organs, remove waste, regulate body temperature, and aids the body in nutrient absorption.

 

How much water is in the human body?

When a person drinks water, the body absorbs it right then, and it has specific parts it’s stored. The more muscular a body is, the more water it contains. On the contrary, the more fats in the body, the less water the body contains – as body fat has little water.

Additionally, all our vital organs contain different amounts of water: the brain, the lungs, the heart, the liver, and the kidneys contain a large quantity of water – between 65 to 85% depending on the organ, while bones contain less water, about 30%.

Water’s Journey Through Your Body

One of the main differences between eating food and drinking water is that when food is consumed, it’s digested, whereas water is absorbed into the body’s system.

 

Water’s journey first begins in your mouth.

The first big step the body takes is registering hydration through your mouth. After a few gulps of water, the brain will convince the body– that the body has had enough to drink.

This is an important hydration mechanism because it takes a long time for the water that was drunk to reach cells and provide them with sufficient hydration. If the brain registered hydration only after cells received water, people would be drinking way more than the body needs.

The communication between the brain and mouth allows someone to stop drinking at the appropriate time, even if the water hasn’t fully hydrated the system yet.

Water travels through Your esophagus.

It is a small pipe connected to the mouth and lands in the stomach. This is where the process of water absorption into the bloodstream begins.

Water and Your Stomach

The amount of water absorbed in the stomach and how quickly water is absorbed depends, in part, on how much has been eaten. If someone is drinking water on an empty stomach, they are more likely to experience a faster water absorption rate.

 

Whereas, if a person has eaten a lot of food before they drink water, the speed of absorption will slow down accordingly, and absorption could take up to a few hours.

Water and Your Small Intestine

At around 20 feet long, the small intestine efficiently absorbs water into the cell membrane and bloodstream. From here, water will travel to cells across the body, providing them with the hydration to perform daily functions efficiently.

But the journey of the water you drink doesn’t stop there. Once absorbed into the body, water aids some vital functions.

Water and Your Large Intestine

The large intestine is the key center for water reabsorption rather than the stomach and the small intestine because of the following reasons:

It prevents most of the paracellular flow of water and electrolytes because of tight junctions, unlike in the small intestine. This prevents the backflow of electrolytes and water from the chyle to the blood.

 It mainly concentrates the fecal matter, so reabsorption of water and electrolytes becomes its main function.

Water and Your Kidneys

One such task is filtering toxins. This is primarily the job of your kidneys, but kidneys require a large amount of water to filter toxins efficiently. If the kidney does not receive enough water, it could lead to health concerns, including kidney stones and other kidney-related diseases.

Fortunately, one way the kidneys inform someone of whether they’re providing their body with enough water is by concentrating the amount of water expelled through urine – thus changing the color of urine to bright yellow.

Although our kidneys help filter bad toxins in our body, there’s another way to help you keep clean and safe drinking water. With a water filtration system at home, Berkey Water Filter guarantees to remove contaminants and harmful pollutants, and it’s ideal for your home.  

Here are a few reasons why Berkey Water Filters is a good choice: 

  • Berkey removes contaminants, including chlorine and fluoride
  • It’s affordable
  • Low Maintenance and easy assembly
  • Berkey water filters are travel-friendly, and
  • Very useful in Emergency Preparedness

 So, get started with your Berkey Water Filters now to enjoy every glass of water you drink.

Related articles:

Why the Berkey Systems are the Best Personal Water Filters that Remove Bacteria

How to Remove Chlorine And Chloramine From Drinking Water Naturally. Best Filtration Without Chemicals 

Does Berkey Water Filter Remove Lead From Drinking Water?

Water and Your Brain

Water is also sent to the brain, where it provides hydration to brain cells. Here, water is used to maintain certain cerebral functions. Studies have shown that people experience impaired short-term memory function and visual-motor skills without the appropriate level of hydration.

How does excess water removal from the body?

Once the human body uses up all the water it needs to function efficiently, it removes excess water. Water leaves the body in four main ways: the kidneys, skin, large intestine, and mouth. Additionally:

  • The most high-profile exit strategy of water is through the kidneys via urine.
  • Another exit point for water is through stools.
  • When someone exercises or heats, small droplets of water, your sweat.
  • Small droplets of water also exit the body via the breath.

When You Drink Water, What Happens in Your Body?

 Water Eases Thirst Before It Hits the Bloodstream

That refreshing feeling after you’ve taken a long gulp of water? It’s far too rapid to be an immediate reaction to your drink — your body is just filling in the gaps.

Thirst is triggered by the brain’s detection that cells are shrinking as the body uses up its water, but you’ll likely feel sated before the cells are filled with water again.

Why? It’s something called an anticipatory reflex. The taste buds and gut register how much water you’ve ingested and make you feel sated so that you’ll stop drinking at an appropriate point.

Water Kick-Starts Your Kidneys

Kidneys are the body’s filtration system, but they require a copious amount of water to do their job properly and boot unwanted toxins out. Without proper hydration, the kidneys cannot filter the blood properly, and you risk all kinds of hilarious nasties, from kidney stones to disease.

The kidneys can do a little to save water — by concentrating your urine to the color of a tangerine — but beyond that, you need water to keep it working. Putting the kidneys under stress is a terrible idea — and, interestingly, they have a minimum amount of water that’s required to be able to function properly.

The usual thinking is eight glasses a day. People who’ve had a kidney stone need to drink a massive two to three liters (up to two-thirds of a gallon) a day to reduce their risk of developing another one.

 

Water Helps Your Cognitive Performance

Water is essential to the brain’s performance — and some unfortunate souls had to prove it in a series of studies about how the brain reacts to dehydration. Being deprived of water leads to short-term memory damage, working memory impairment, and a downgrade in your visual-motor skills.

 

Water Reduces Pain

Do your knees ache? It’s time to pick up your water bottle. Getting your proper amount of fluids is crucial to maintaining the right amount of cushioning in your joints. 

You don’t have water balloons in your elbows and knees, though — you have something called synovial fluid, which is designed to lubricate the cartilage that protects your joints. 

Unfortunately, replenishing your water levels won’t necessarily kick the synovial fluid into overdrive and always leave you with seamless joints. But good hydration is a necessary ingredient in keeping your joints happy.

Water serves some essential functions to keep us all going:

  • A vital nutrient to the life of every cell acts first as a building material.
  • It regulates our internal body temperature by sweating and respiration
  • The carbohydrates and proteins that our bodies use as food are metabolized and transported by water in the bloodstream;
  • It assists in flushing waste mainly through urination
  • acts as a shock absorber for a brain, spinal cord, and fetus
  • forms saliva
  • lubricates joints

How Much Water is Enough?

Because water is so important, you might wonder if you’re drinking enough. There is no magic amount of water that kids need to drink every day. The amount kids need on their age, body size, health, and activity level, plus the weather.

Most of the time, kids drink something with meals and should drink when they’re thirsty. But if you’re sick, or it’s warm out, or you’re exercising, you’ll need more. Be sure to drink some extra water when you’re out in warm weather, especially while playing sports or exercising.

When you drink is also essential. If you’re going to sports practice, a game, or just working out or playing hard, drink water before, during, and after playing. Don’t forget your water bottle. You can’t play your best when you’re thinking about how thirsty you are!

You can help your body by drinking when you’re thirsty and drinking extra water when you exercise and when it’s warm out. Your body will be able to do all of its wonderful, and you’ll feel great!

Did You Know…

Drinking excessive amounts of water without replacing salt can be harmful, occasionally even in healthy people.

What happens when you drink too much water?

While water intake is highly significant in our body, too much water drinking may lead to overhydration. It occurs when there is an excess of water in the body more than it loses.  

Overhydration typically results in low sodium levels in the blood called hyponatremia, which can be fatal. Nevertheless, drinking a lot of water usually does not cause overhydration if the pituitary gland, kidneys, liver, and heart function normally. To exceed the body’s ability to excrete water, a young adult with normal kidney function would have to drink more than 6 gallons of water a day regularly.

Who is prone to overhydration? 

Athletes

Particularly athletes who drink large amounts of water to avoid dehydration can develop overhydration. 

People with Psychogenic Polydipsia

People may also drink excessive amounts of water because of a psychiatric disorder called psychogenic polydipsia. The result is too much water and not enough sodium. 

People with problems in their organs

Overhydration is much more common among people whose kidneys do not excrete urine normally. Also, among people with a disorder of the heart, kidneys, or liver. Among premature infants whose kidneys are immature. Certain drugs, such as some antidepressants, can also cause overhydration in susceptible people.

Overhydration may likewise result from the disorder of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion. In this disorder, the pituitary organ secretes an excessive amount of vasopressin (also called antidiuretic hormone), stimulating the kidneys to save water when that isn’t required.

Symptoms of Overhydration

Brain cells are especially prone to overhydration and too low sodium levels in the blood. Once overhydration happens gradually and is gentle or moderate, brain cells have the opportunity to adjust, so just mild symptoms (assuming any) like distractibility and lethargy might follow. At the point when overhydration happens rapidly, vomiting and issues with balance grow. When overhydration worsens, confusion, seizures, or coma might develop. 

If overhydration happens and blood volume is average, the excess water moves typically into the cells, and tissue expanding (edema) doesn’t happen. If extra blood volume happens, liquid can gather in the lungs and lower legs.

Diagnosis of Overhydration

  • A doctor’s examination
  • Blood and urine tests

Doctors attempt to recognize overhydration (a lot of water) and excess liquid in the blood (an excessive amount of salt and increased blood volume) by examining the individual for weight gain and indications of edema and doing blood and urine tests to take a look at the concentrations of electrolytes.

Treatment of Overhydration

  • Restriction of fluid intake
  • Treatment of the cause of overhydration

Regardless of the reason for overhydration, liquid admission typically should be limited (only as advised by doctors). Drinking less than a quart of liquids daily ordinarily brings about progress for more than a few days. When overhydration happens with excess blood volume because of heart, liver, or kidney disease, limiting sodium’s admission is likewise helpful because sodium makes the body retain water. 

Medications that will, in general, cause overhydration are stopped. At times, doctors prescribe diuretics to build the discharge of sodium and water in the urine. Different kinds of medications likewise can expand water discharge and treat overhydration when blood volume is average. These medications are usually used when an individual is in the hospital and can be carefully checked.

Drink Water Now! The best ways to drink water for healthy bodies

1. Take it slow and steady

It’s been proven that drinking water slowly throughout the day makes you more hydrated than drinking lots fast. This makes sense as your intestines can only process so much water at a time, and if it is passed through too fast, you’ll lose out on it.

 

2. Water with additives

Lemon in water has well-known health benefits, including aiding your digestion, hydrating your lymph system, having a load of nutrients including potassium and vitamin C, reducing inflammation, and giving you an energy boost.

It is a common practice to drink warm water with 1/2 a lemon squeezed into it first thing in the morning, then after about 30 minutes, have your breakfast. This process is supposed to improve your energy, cleanse your system and provide better digestion for your breakfast, giving you energy throughout the day.

 Additional feature:

A way to have great tasting, healthy water available when your home uses a water pitcher with an infuser.

 This simple device can be kept in your fridge and infuses your water with whatever you put in it, like fruit, without having the pieces of fruit fall into your glass. For example, adding lemons and cucumber slices will give you a healthy drink that tastes great.

3. Right and proper timing

Since we now know that most water is absorbed within 120 minutes, we can assume that drinking a glass of water about 2 hours before heavy sports will give us the best benefit, as your body will be the most hydrated then.

 It is also best to drink a glass of water first thing in the morning since you’ve gone for about 8 hours without a drink. And for those with a stronger bladder, drinking a glass before bed helps your body stay hydrated while you sleep. But if nightly bathroom visits are already a factor for you, take it easy before bed.

To make drinking water easier, keep it by you all day, whether at the office with a bottle that you sip from all day and can refill, or at home with a glass of water on your counter that you make yourself drink from every time you pass it. Having a bottle of water in your car is great, too, especially when you’re out doing chores and can’t get a good drink in for a few hours.

4.  Sit down, drink your water

While there is no scientific proof to let us know if you should drink water sitting down or standing up, it is without a doubt that standing up and drinking water can prompt joint pain, and different illnesses are a myth. But, it is highly recommended to sit down and drink water since posture can take part in how our body gets what we feed it. When we are standing or walking, the blood flow is high towards our hands and legs, demonstrating prevention for the water to reach the digestive system appropriately.

5. Sip on the water to flush down the meal

Drinking water with food helps digestion. Water is particularly imperative to drink close to high-fiber food sources. Fiber travels through your digestive system and absorbs water, helping form stools and advance regularity. So in case, you’re loading your plate with plant-based food sources, as you ought to, sip on water, as well.

6. Salt it up!

Although sodium is atypical by many (as it should be once consumed in large amounts), having too little sodium in your body can be similarly harmful. Salt keeps our cells hydrated and aids nutrients going from our small intestine to the rest of our bodies. Without appropriate salt intake, your cells are not able to keep water. Therefore, they’re not very significant at hydrating. Thus, in case you’re burning through salt with your water (even a tiny pinch will do), you’re helping your body with retaining water all the more effectively.

The Best Water Through Your Body

Now that we better see how water travels through the body and why water is so vital to your physical and mental health, we need to discover approaches to get the ideal water. Water filters are probably the most straightforward approach to reliably drink safe, healthy water without harmful toxins and contaminants.

Your body’s a powerful tool. However, it needs your assistance. With all the things above-mentioned, give it the possible opportunity to absorb all the goodness from your water! In any case, ensure it’s extraordinary water.  


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The role of water in human life

Water is essential for life on earth for all living beings and plants. All metabolic processes in the human body take place in the aquatic environment. Violation of metabolic processes largely depends on the use of low-quality water by a person. Hence sickness and excess weight.

From birth, a person uses water in everyday life and at work.

The development of civilization on earth has led to the fact that the irrational and harmful attitude to water when used in various industries has become the root cause of water pollution.

People get water from underground sources, surface reservoirs. The degree of water pollution today is such that even from deep wells, water is not always suitable for human use without additional treatment. At first glance, clean and clear water may contain substances harmful to human and animal health.

The reason for the supply of poor-quality water for human domestic needs is worn-out and outdated equipment for the delivery of drinking water, dishonest behavior of pumping station employees who, in pursuit of supplied cubic meters, forget about the rules for checking water quality.

The factors of water pollution are a) landfills, where the rules for the disposal of household waste are violated everywhere; b) the presence of industrial enterprises located in close proximity to water intakes, c) agricultural facilities (cowsheds, pigsties, poultry farms). Rarely at which enterprise there are water purification stations, more often the water that participated in the technological processes is directly discharged into the general sewer. Such a drain is unacceptable, huge water basins become infected with harmful waste.

The most reliable water analysis is chemical. Complete qualitative and quantitative chemical analyzes can provide reliable data on the purity of water. No home tests and taste sensations ever correspond to the true state of the water, such studies cannot be relied upon. Chemical analysis of water is absolutely necessary not only for water going for use by the city, but also mandatory for every rural well. The undercurrents of water are little known; they can bring the most unpredictable dirt into a simple rural well, for example, trivalent chromium, which comes next in toxicity to potassium cyanide.

Chemical analysis data is still needed for the selection of cleaning filters, provided that the water is not quite suitable for use. Modern filters can significantly improve the condition of water, remove from water not only suspended impurities (sand, litter), but also harmful substances dissolved in water. Highly efficient water purification systems can also purify water from biological, mechanical and chemical impurities at home.

It is worth paying attention to the state of water in holiday villages. There, as a rule, water is not tested, for drinking and cooking there is one source of water (imported or from a tested well), and for watering gardens and gardens – another source: a common water supply from a well, the water from which either was not tested at all or was tested in moment of commissioning. The leaders of such settlements and associations forget that the water in any well should be checked periodically, regardless of taste sensations. Water that has not been tested is used to water gardens and orchards. People blithely believe that it does not matter what water to water the ripening fruits. And here it is! And what a value! After all, the fruits are grown for human consumption. Along with the use of clean water, a person also needs clean food, which we prepare from vegetables and fruits, which we consume in a large proportion raw. Clean water and clean food are the keys to good health.

Many people who live in ecologically clean places live to a hundred or more years without disease. This is a direct consequence of the use of clean water, food and fresh, not loaded with waste from industrial enterprises, air.

Water is a substance without which life is impossible on our planet called Earth.

Plants are 90% water, humans are 75%. Human life is supported by metabolic processes occurring in the aquatic environment. How pure the water component of the body is, how efficiently the whole organism works as a whole. Without constant access to water, the human body dies. All nutrients enter the cells with the help of water. Water removes decay products from the body: toxins, toxins, excess salts and other substances. Water regulates body temperature, provides elasticity to the skin. Sufficient intake of water by the body (30 ml per 1 kg of body weight per day) is one of the ways to avoid the deposition of salts in the joints, kidney stones. Water is essential for the digestion of food by the gastrointestinal tract. The lack of water in the body is manifested by rapid fatigue, a decrease in efficiency – the result of a slowdown in biochemical processes. The lack of water leads to the fact that the body begins to reserve water, due to which stable deposits of internal fat appear, and blood viscosity increases. The viscous state of the blood is a direct path to the formation of blood clots. Dehydration causes stress in brain cells, the body does not resist pathogenic microbes and viruses.

Experts believe that chronic dehydration is the cause of diseases such as asthma, hypertension, obesity, and depression.

It should be noted that with untreated water entering the city water supply network, you can get a lot of infectious diseases: cholera, typhoid, dysentery, get through dirty water and eggs of various worms (worms). You can become infected not only by drinking water, but also by absorbing water through the skin.

Pure water, which enters the human body in the right amount, is one of the most important components of a healthy body and spirit.

Benefits of water

If water is found on an unknown planet, then there is life there. Without water, a person cannot live even ten days, without food – even a month. These concepts alone speak of the importance of water in nature and our lives.

Every day, a lot of liquid enters the human body with any food: vegetables, fruits, juices, soups and tea. But pure water without any impurities is of great benefit. It should be drunk, on the recommendation of doctors, every day, at the rate of 30 ml per 1 kg of a person’s weight. For an adult, the required amount of water is approximately 2 liters. In hot weather, the need for water increases, so in the summer they drink more.

Effect of water on various organs in the human body

Since ancient times, people have known that water helps to cure many diseases. This becomes more understandable if we study in more detail the processes occurring in the human body. After all, it also consists mostly of water:

  • in the hematopoietic system – 92% water;
  • in the brain – 75% water;
  • in muscles – 75% water;
  • in the skeleton – 22% water.

The liver protects the body from decay products, preservatives and dyes, microbes and viruses. Together with water, these harmful substances are excreted from the body. With a normal water balance, they do not stay in the body, and there is no development of diseases.

The kidneys are a kind of filter for all fluids. If there is enough water, all excess fluid with harmful components is excreted in the urine. If there is not enough water, the kidneys save it, and this interferes with their normal work.

Lymph carries dead cells and other wastes from the blood to the lymph nodes, then sends it to the kidneys and liver for processing, and here it is also helped by water.

A small amount of water is also harmful to the joints, inside which water acts as a lubricant. With a constant lack of water, the joints wear out, and this leads to arthrosis, which torments many people.

If you are going to do fitness, you should not forget to take a bottle of clean water with you, as if you sweat a lot, you need more. Drink before, after and during class. Lack of moisture in the body leads to muscle spasms.

Benefits of water

Water has a beneficial effect on the skin. If you drink enough of it, you can not use expensive moisturizers.

Water not only removes harmful substances from the body after processing by human organs, but also delivers vitamins and minerals necessary for human life to cells.

Water regulates metabolic processes and stimulates the digestive organs. There is an opinion that you should not drink water while eating. It is not right. If you drink not half a liter, but a small amount, it helps digestion. Water satisfies hunger, and if you drink a glass of water 20 minutes before a meal, you can eat less.

Water regulates temperature exchange. When a person has a fever, doctors first recommend drinking as much water as possible.

Water is a source of energy. Doctors believe that 5 glasses of water a day protect against a heart attack. Drinking enough water helps fight obesity and respiratory diseases. By drinking water in the right amount, a person acquires immunity from infectious diseases.

What kind of water to drink and how to drink it correctly?

The water must be clean. The most useful water is spring water from a mineral spring.

Tap water contains chlorine in an acceptable amount, so it is not considered harmful to the body, but it is advisable to drink it boiled. To purify such water, it is recommended to use household filters.

You can not boil the same water several times, as the percentage of harmful substances increases.

Two liters of water must be distributed throughout the day. Drink in small sips. One glass of water on an empty stomach is good for the digestive tract. It should be drunk 30 minutes before breakfast. Water on an empty stomach every day is also a prevention against colds and inflammation.

Harm of excessive and insufficient water consumption

If you drink little water, a person begins to feel weakness, malaise, headache, fatigue. In addition, he will begin to have problems with the kidneys, pain in the back and joints.

Too much liquid is also harmful, especially at night. It provokes a load on the kidneys and contributes to the development of edema. People with hypertension and heart failure need to reduce their water and salt intake. Constant thirst can be a harbinger of diabetes, so at the first suspicion, you need to check the blood for sugar.