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.
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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Many studies have proven that proper hydration at the time of a stroke is linked to better stroke recovery. It is possible that dehydration causes blood to be thicker. Viscous blood causes the body to retain sodium and increases blood pressure. Drinking enough water regularly prevents dehydration. This may play a role in keeping the blood less viscous, which in turn prevents a stroke.
Can Drinking Water Lower Your Blood Pressure?
Keeping well hydrated by drinking six to eight glasses of water daily (even more if working in hot and humid conditions) is beneficial for the blood pressure. High blood pressure (BP) or hypertension is a condition caused by the persistent high pressure of blood against the walls of arteries. It is also called systolic pressure (constantly greater than 139 mmHg) or diastolic pressure (constantly more than 89 mmHg).
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Common Medical Abbreviations & Terms
Doctors, pharmacists, and other health-care professionals use abbreviations, acronyms, and other terminology for instructions and information in regard to a patient's health condition, prescription drugs they are to take, or medical procedures that have been ordered. There is no approved this list of common medical abbreviations, acronyms, and terminology used by doctors and other health- care professionals. You can use this list of medical abbreviations and acronyms written by our doctors the next time you can't understand what is on your prescription package, blood test results, or medical procedure orders. Examples include:
- ANED: Alive no evidence of disease. The patient arrived in the ER alive with no evidence of disease.
- ARF: Acute renal (kidney) failure
- cap: Capsule.
- CPAP: Continuous positive airway pressure. A treatment for sleep apnea.
- DJD: Degenerative joint disease. Another term for osteoarthritis.
- DM: Diabetes mellitus. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes
- HA: Headache
- IBD: Inflammatory bowel disease. A name for two disorders of the gastrointestinal (BI) tract, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
- JT: Joint
- N/V: Nausea or vomiting.
- p.o.: By mouth. From the Latin terminology per os.
- q.i.d.: Four times daily. As in taking a medicine four times daily.
- RA: Rheumatoid arthritis
- SOB: Shortness of breath.
- T: Temperature. Temperature is recorded as part of the physical examination. It is one of the "vital signs."
Does Drinking Water Help Diverticulitis?
Yes, drinking water may help resolve diverticulitis. However, the overall management of diverticulitis depends on the extent of the disease. Only hydration may not help in all cases. It is advised to maintain a liquid diet, such as clear liquids or broths, during the first few days of the diverticulitis attack. This is because constipation is a major cause of diverticulitis.
Does Drinking Water Flush Nicotine Out of Your System?
Nicotine is water-soluble, so drinking water will help flush out any lingering traces. Water helps flush nicotine and other chemicals out of your body.
How Long Before a Colonoscopy Should I Stop Drinking Water?
A colonoscopy is a test to look at the inside of the colon. Usually, doctors recommend patients undergoing a colonoscopy to stop drinking clear liquid or water at least three to four hours before the procedure. However, patients with diabetes and who are dehydrated may take a few sips of water after consulting their doctor.How Much Water Should You Drink Based on Your Weight?
Generally, you should aim to drink about 64 ounces of water per day. Check out the center below for more medical references on nutrition, including multimedia (slideshows, images, and quizzes), related disease conditions, treatment and diagnosis, medications, and prevention or wellness.
Hydration Quiz
Do you know how much water you should be drinking on a daily basis? It may not be what you think. Take this quiz to learn how to stay hydrated.
Is Drinking a Lot of Water Good for Your Prostate?
Doctors recommend drinking six to eight glasses of water (or 1.5 to 2 liters) daily. For prostate problems, limit water intake before going to bed at night. This will keep you from waking up at night to urinate repeatedly.Is Drinking Cold Water Bad?
About 60 percent of the body is made up of water. It forms a major part of the blood. The cells and the body cannot function right if the water levels go down. Drinking cold water often causes “cold stress” in the body.
What Happens to Your Body When You Drink Enough Water?
You might be surprised at how well your body works when you drink enough water. Find out exactly what can go right when you get your H2O.
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What are the benefits of drinking water? How do you keep your drinking water safe and healthy? Learn about the water you drink and possible contaminants like giardia, cryptosporidium, lead, chlorine, and more. Discover how to boil your water in an emergency, and why fluoride in tap water is healthy for teeth.