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The percentage of water in the human body varies between 50 and 70 percent. Infants have a substantially higher water content, often about 75 to 78 percent, which drops to about 65 percent by the age of one year.
Because fatty tissue contains less water than lean tissue, the body composition with regard to water varies by gender and fitness level. Water makes up about 60 percent of the average adult male's body. Because women have more fatty tissue than men, the average adult woman roughly has 55 percent of water. Overweight men and women or those with a higher percentage of body fat have a lower percentage of water in their bodies than their thinner counterparts.
Who has the most water percentage in the body?
The highest proportion of water is found in babies and children. The next highest percentage is found in adult men, while adult women have a lower percentage of water. Going further, obese men and women have less water percentage than lean adults or people with lower body weight.
Where is water located in the human body?
The intracellular fluid (two-thirds of the body's water) contains most of the body's water. The extracellular fluid (one-third of the water) contains the remaining water.
Depending on the organ, the amount of water changes. Blood plasma contains a large amount of water (20 percent of the total water in the body). In the human body, water makes up the following:
What role does water play in the body?
Water plays several important roles in the body, including:
- Acts as an insulator, regulating internal body temperature through sweat and respiration, and is the primary component of cells.
- Helps digest food, acting as a major component of saliva and digestive juices.
- Protects the brain, spinal cord, organs, and fetus by insulating them, and lubricates joints.
- Works as a shock absorber and is utilized to eliminate waste and toxins from the body through urine.
- Is the body's primary solvent with minerals, soluble vitamins, and some nutrients dissolved in it.
- Helps transport oxygen and nutrients to and from the cells.
How do you avoid dehydration?
The best way to avoid dehydration is to get enough water to satisfy hydration levels.
In a warmer region or during hot weather, dehydration is more prevalent. Therefore, it is important to drink enough water, since water needs are much higher. Similarly, because the body utilizes more fluid and loses water through sweat, exercise can promote dehydration.
Some older individuals may lose their sensation of thirst over time. Drinking fluids throughout the day is a good rule of thumb. A person may already be mildly dehydrated if they feel thirsty.
What is the recommended minimum fluid intake?
Fluid intake can be in the form of plain water and other beverages, such as carbonated water, milk, juices, soups. The required minimum fluid intake varies according to age and gender.
Age and gender | Recommended fluid intake (mL) |
---|---|
Zero to six months* | 700 mL |
6 to 12 months | 800 mL |
One to two years | 1,300 mL |
Four to eight years | 1,700 mL |
9 to 13 years (male) | 2,400 mL |
9 to 13 years (female) | 2,100 mL |
14 to 18 years (male) | 3,300 mL |
14 to 18 years (female) | 2,300 mL |
Adult male | 3,700 mL |
Adult female | 2,700 mL |
Special situations | |
Pregnant women | 3,000 mL |
Breastfeeding women | 3,800 mL |
*This age group should be exclusively breastfed unless advised otherwise by the doctor, although additional water is not required. |
Those with signs of dehydration or certain medical conditions may require a higher fluid intake. It is advised to consult a doctor for the same.
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QUESTION
What percentage of the human body is water? See AnswerHealth Solutions From Our Sponsors
Shaw G. Water and Your Diet: Staying Slim and Regular With H2O. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/diet/features/water-for-weight-loss-diet
Cleveland Clinic. Dehydration. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/9013-dehydration
BetterHealth. Water – A Vital Nutrient. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/water-a-vital-nutrient
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