Water is so essential to our existence, that without it we would not be able to survive for even one week. In fact, our bodies are comprised of approximately 60 percent water, although this amount varies depending on the amount of adipose tissue (fat) we are carrying. The reason for this is fat contains less water than most other tissues in the body.
Water Weight
The weight of the average 160 lb. person will consist of approximately 12 gallons of water. This means that of the 160 pounds, 96 of them will be solely water. Of course, this will vary slightly depending on your size and body composition but generally speaking your blood is made up of about 80 percent water, muscle is about 75 percent, bone tissue is about 20 percent and fat is about 10 percent water.
Water Loss
The average person must dispose of a minimum of 1/2 qt. of water in urine everyday, to dispel the waste products our bodies produce on a daily basis. In total, though, we lose about 2 1/2 qts. of water daily. Not only do we lose water through our urine but also through feces, vapor from our lungs and through sweat. Someone who is exercising vigorously, such as a runner, can expend as much as six cups of water per hour. It's essential that this fluid is replaced, otherwise you will be in a constant state of dehydration.
Intake
You can replace a lot of the water we lose on a daily basis through the foods you eat. For instance, fruits and vegetables contain between 75 and 90 percent water and meat, depending on the method of preparation, can contain as much as 70 percent water. However, even though, the foods you eat contribute significantly to your fluid replenishment, it is important to also drink water, as well. The average person will obtain their daily water quota by drinking six cups of fluid and another four cups through the foods eaten.
Safety
People who are trying to reduce their weight can lose many pounds in a short span of time. These people include athletes attempting to qualify for a particular weight category and overweight people striving to obtain a higher fitness level. What they fail to understand is that most of the weight lost is simply water and this can be dangerous to their health.
A state of dehydration can lead to an increase in heart rate and body temperature, dizziness, decreased performance and movement and eventually kidney failure and death. When trying to lose weight, do it gradually by losing fat and always maintain a healthy fluid replacement regimen.
References
- "Nutrition Now"; Judith Brown; 2002
- "Human Physiology"; Lauralee Sherwood; 2004
- "Understanding Nutrition"; Eleanor Noss Whitney and Sharon Rady Rolfes; 2002
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