Topic 6 Water

About 60% of body weight:

• Solvent of digestive products
• Transport of nutrients and passage from cells to blood
• Modulates the cell volume
• Regulates body temperature
• Necessary to eliminate metabolic waste

The distribution and movement of water in the body are essentially linked to the substances present in it, in particular sodium and potassium. Sodium is present in intracellular water (50-55% of total water) while potassium in extracellular water (15-20% of total water).

Water assumption has to compensate for its elimination with urine, feces, skin and breathing (water balance).

Water requirement is about 1.5-2 liters/day and varies according to diet, climate, physical activity, age and other physiological (ex. pregnancy) and pathological conditions.