The source of life: revealing the importance of water in the human body

Water is essential for all living things. Different people have different percentages of water in their bodies. Babies have the highest water content at birth, about 78%. By the age of one year, this percentage has dropped to about 65%. Adult males have about 60% water. However, because fat tissue contains less water, and adult women generally have a higher percentage of fat than men, their bodies are about 55% water. This leads to the following conclusions:

l Infants and children have a higher water content (percentage wise) than adults.

l Women have a lower water content (as a percentage) than men.

l People with more fat tissue in their bodies have relatively lower water content (as a percentage).

In addition, in order to maintain life, humans must consume a certain amount of water every day. Of course, this intake varies from person to person, depending on factors such as age, gender and where we live. The water we need does not only come from the liquid we drink directly, because the food we eat also contains a certain amount of water.

Water plays many important roles in maintaining our lives. First, it is an important component of cells. It maintains the temperature balance in our body by regulating sweating and breathing. It also acts as a buffer for the brain, spinal cord and fetus, playing a protective role. Water also has physiological functions such as forming saliva and lubricating joints. Water helps the body digest and absorb food. Water acts as a transport medium. Without water, nutrients will not be transported and thus cannot be absorbed by various tissues. Water is a necessary condition for various chemical reactions in metabolism. Without water, metabolism will not be able to proceed. Water also has the function of excreting waste from the body through urination.