Water

Water is the major component of our body. Approximately 55 to 70 per cent of the total
body weight is made up of water. The percentage of water tends to decrease as a person gets older
Fat individuals have less water than lean ones. The fluids, which exist inside the cells, are called
intracellular fluids, which form about 55 percent of water in the body. The rest is found as
extracellular fluid (outside the cells). Blood, lymph circulation and interstitial fluid (fluid between
cells or tissues) are part of extracellular fluid. Kidneys are the final regulators of fluid balance.
Water present in body is never a plain water but has electrolytes dissolved in it, Sodium is
principle electrolyte of the extracellular fluid while potassium is predominant in the intracellular
spaces. The normal concentration of ions in the intracellular and extracellular fluid needs to be
maintained at all times. This concentration of ions is preserved by a balance between the intake
and output/loss of water.
Water is the major component of our body. Approximately 55 to 70 per cent of the total body
weight is made up of water.
As per cent of body weight
Total water 70
i) Intracellular 50
ii) Extracellular 20
a. Plasma 4
b. Lymph 7
c. Interstitial water (tissue fluid) 9

Extracellular fluid
Per cent of body weight
Average subjects-20%
Fat subjects -15%
Thin subjects -25%

Functions
1. Water quenches thirst and is the most refreshing and cooling of all liquids.
2. Water serves as a building material for each cell of the body.
3. Water is a universal solvent and is able to dissolve all the products of digestion.
4. Constituent of all body fluids, it helps in the transport of the products of digestion to the
appropriate organs. For example, blood, which contains 90 per cent of water, carries carbon
dioxide to the lungs, nutrients to the cells and waste nitrogenous material and salt to the
kidneys.
5. Urine, which contains 97 per cent water has all the waste material dissolved in it and
the body is thus able to excrete soluble waste products of metabolism.
6. Water is needed for many chemical reactions to occur in the blood for example, the
breakdown of sugar to simpler substances needs the presence of water.
7. Water acts as a lubricant preventing friction between moving parts of the body.
8. The body temperature is regulated through the evaporation of water from the skin
and lungs.
Water balance
The body normally maintains a water balance the amount of water ingested is equal to the
water excreted or lost from the body. C ertain regions of hypothalamus regulate the intake.The
water excretion is controlled by hormones. Kidneys and lungs carry out water from the body.
Water is also lost as perspiration through the skin and as part of excreta from bowel.
Water balance in healthy adult

Water intake (ml/day) Water loss (ml/day)

Fluid ingested 2200 Skin 350
From metabolism 200 350
Lungs
Sweat 100
Faeces 100
Urine 1500
Total 2400 2400

Daily intake of water

Sources includes the water we drink during day to relieve thirst and during meals and also
following sources
Beverages and liquid food: intake of all beverages such as tea coffee. milk shakes, fruit
juices, soups and all liquid foods release water.
Water content of solid food: includes water present in fruits and vegetable and the water
used for cooking food.
Metabolic water: It is synthesized in the body as a result of oxidation of fat, protein and
carbohydrates, which adds to about 200ml of water/day
Requirement: Adults needs about 1 ml of water is needed per 1 kcal energy intake; thus about
2000 ml water is necessary when energy intake 2000 kcal. Infants who have a large body surface
area, in proportion to body weight, need 1.5ml water /1 kcal energy intake.
The amount of water needed by an individual, w ill depend on many factors such as the
environmental temperature, humidity, occupation and the diet.

Deficiency of water
Excessive loss of water take place due to diarrhea, vomiting, fever, excessive perspiration,
strenuous exercise and uncontrolled diabetes. It can result in dehydration. The dehydrated
person usually managed by oral rehydration therapy (ORT) that are to be dissolved in one litre
of water.