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Water is crucial to keep the body working correctly. It is present in the blood, skin, organs, and bones. There is water in every cell of the body, from the brain to the teeth.
Have you ever also wondered how much of your body is water? The percentage of water varies according to your age and gender.
The amount of water in the human body ranges from 45 to 75%. The average adult human body is 50 to 65% water, averaging around 57 to 60%. The percentage of water in infants is much higher, typically around 75 to 78% water, dropping to 65% by one year of age.
Body composition varies according to gender and fitness level because fatty tissue contains less water than lean tissue. The average adult male is about 60% water. The average adult woman is about 55% water that is because women naturally have more fatty tissue than men. Overweight men and women have less water, as a percent than their slimmer counterparts.
Medically the percentage of water depends on your hydration level. People feel thirsty when they have already lost around 2 to 3% of their body’s water. Being dehydrated by just 2% impairs performance in mental tasks and physical coordination.
Water exists throughout the body. Cells contain 60% of all water in the body, with roughly one-third of the remainder, surrounding the cells.
Some organs contain much more water than others. The brain and kidneys possess the highest percentage of water; the bones and teeth contain the lowest proportion.
Health Benefits Of Drinking Water
It is essential to drink enough water to support all functions of the body. According to the medical experts, it is recommended to; carry a water bottle for easy access, choose water instead of sugar-sweetened beverages, choose water when eating a meal, add a wedge of lemon or lime to water to improve taste among others.
Other tips for older adults specifically include; not waiting until feeling thirst to drink water, drinking a glass of water before and after exercise, taking a sip of water between each bite of food at meals, and drinking a full glass of water when taking medication.
It should be noted that there is no set daily amount of water that a person should drink. The amount varies, depending on age, sex, weight, health, physical activity, and the climate where a person lives.
There is no clear limit for drinking too much water. The kidneys can remove 20 – 28 liters of water per day, but they cannot excrete more than 0.8 to 1.0 liters per hour. Drinking more than this can be harmful, however.
Some organs contain much more water than others. The brain and kidneys possess the highest percentage of water; the bones and teeth contain the lowest proportion.
Health-wise, taking enough water is important for the human system, such as regulating the temperature, repairing tissues among other benefits.
The saying, “water is life” cannot be overemphasized. Make drinking of water a habit today and live a healthy life for tomorrow.
Idorenyin Umoren is an IT student from the University of Calabar with CrossRiverWatch.
NB: Opinions expressed in this article are strictly attributable to the author, Idorenyin Umoren, and do not represent the opinion of CrossRiverWatch or any other organization the author works for/with.
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