Percentage of Water in the Human Body

Introduction

90 percent of the body weight of humans is from water, and the human body contains an average of 60% water. The average quantity of water present in the body can vary from 45 to 75 percent due to factors like age, hydration levels, and gender. The percentage of water in the body decreases with age making babies have the most water level. The percentage also varies with the amount of fat present in the body.

What Is the Percentage Of Water Present Inside the Human Body?

In general, women have a lower percentage of water than men. This is because the percentage of fatty tissue is more in women than in men, and fatty tissue usually contains less water than the muscles. The percentage of water also varies with age; older people tend to have less water in their bodies, while babies have a higher percentage of water. The tables below show the average percentage of water and their ranges in a human body according to gender and age.

• Age 12 to 18 years:

Male - Average: 59 percent Range: 51 to 65 percent. Female - Average:55 percent Range: 48 to 64 percent.

• Age 19 to 50 years:

Male - Average: 59 percent Range: 42 to 72 percent. Female - Average: 50 percent Range: 40 to 60 percent.

• Age 51 years and Above:

Male - Average: 55 percent Range: 47 to 67 percent. Female - Average: 46 percent Range: 38 to 58 percent.

• Birth to 6 Months: Average: 75 percent Range: 65 to 85 percent.

• 6 months to 1 year: Average: 60 percent Range: 56 to 65 percent.

• 1 to 12 years: Average: 60 percent Range: 50 to 75 percent.

Where Is Water Present in the Human Body?

Water is present in the extracellular and intracellular compartments and is found throughout the body. The intracellular compartment is the space inside every cell. About two-thirds of the body's water lies here. The extracellular compartment is the space between each cell (interstitial fluid) and the blood plasma. The intracellular compartments constitute about one-third of the total body water.

What Is the Percentage of Water in the Organs of the Body?

Regardless of the percentage, all body parts require sufficient water. Some organs, however, contain more water than others. For example, organs like the kidneys and brain have the highest percentage of water, whereas the teeth and bones have the lowest percentage. Teeth and bones contain the least water as they mainly constitute mineralized hydroxyapatite crystals. Even though blood is not an organ, it contains about 50% water. Organ wise water content of the body.

• Brain: 80 to 85 percent.

• Kidneys: 80 to 85 percent.

• Heart: 75 to 80 percent.

• Lungs: 75 to 80 percent.

• Muscles: 70 to 75 percent.

• Liver: 70 to 75 percent.

• Skin: 70 to 75 percent.

• Blood: 50 percent.

• Bones: 20 to 25 percent.

• Teeth: 8 to 10 percent.

Why Is Water Important to the Human Body?

Water plays an important role in a person's general health and is required to perform many body functions, like the formation of saliva, cushioning and lubricating the joints, and temperature regulation by sweating and respiration. It protects the sensitive tissues and the spinal cord by acting as a shock absorber for the brain and spinal cord. It plays a role in removing waste by sweating, bowel movements, and urination. Water helps in digestion by metabolizing carbohydrates and proteins in the food. It also delivers oxygen all over the body and helps the brain produce hormones and neurotransmitters.

Water also helps in many cellular functions listed below:

• Solvent - Water helps dissolve ionic compounds like amino acids, electrolytes, and glucose.

• Enzymatic Reactions - Water helps in enzymatic reactions like hydrolysis, which breaks lipid macronutrients, carbohydrates, and proteins into amino acid constituents to be used better by the body.

• Transporter - Water maintains cellular homeostasis by transporting nutrients to the cells and removing the excess wastes produced by them. It also helps exchange nutrients and gases, helping with the proper functioning of all the body systems.

• Maintaining Vascular Volume - Plasma is the liquid proportion of blood; water in the plasma form helps circulate red blood cells across the body.

• Lubricant - Water combines with viscous compounds and acts as a lubricant for the joints, respiratory system, gastrointestinal system, and genitourinary tracts.

How Is A Healthy Water Percentage Maintained?

A healthy water percentage can be maintained by drinking adequate amounts of water every day. However, depending on age, health, and gender, and if a person exercises or stays in hot weather conditions, they may need to drink more water than usual. Other recommendations include

• Always try carrying a water bottle to get easy access to water.

• It is always better to drink plain water than sweetened beverages.

• The taste of water can be improved by adding small amounts of lemon or lime.

• It is not healthy to wait until thirsty to drink water.

• Always drink a full glass of water before or while taking medications.

• Some foods that carry a high amount of water include watermelon, melons, cucumbers, lettuce, oranges, strawberries, and skim milk.

• An adult male needs to drink an average of three liters of water daily, whereas an adult female needs to drink about two and a half liters daily.

How to Prevent Dehydration?

Dehydration usually occurs in hot or warm weather conditions. In hot weather, a person tends to lose water by sweating. Hence it is important to drink more water in hot climates. In the same way, exercising can cause a lot of water loss through sweating, leading to dehydration. Therefore, if a person feels thirsty, it is already a sign of dehydration. So, it is always better to keep hydrated throughout the day rather than wait to get thirsty. Other than thirst, some other signs of dehydration include increased tiredness, dry mouth, dizziness, darker urine, less frequent urination, and confusion. Some of the risks associated with dehydration include urinary tract infections, heat-related cramps leading to heat stroke, sudden drop in blood pressure causing the person to faint and fall, and seizures caused by an imbalance in electrolytes and sodium or potassium.

Conclusion

The majority part of the human body contains water. Even though the percentage of water power varies with age, gender, and body type, the average percentage of water is around 60 percent. Therefore, drinking water and checking fluid levels daily, especially during hot days, is important. By maintaining adequate water levels in the body, the body's health can be maintained, and health problems can be avoided.