Water

– on average 65% of the human body is made up of water.

– The % of water in the body decreases with age and with the deposit of fat.

– About 70% of the water is present as fluid within the cell ii.e.intracellular fluid (ICF).

– The remaining 30% is present outside the cell i.e. extracellular fluid (ECF).

– Animals may live for more than 100 days without organic foods but they die in 5-10 days when deprived of water.

Functions of water in the  human body

a) Transports of nutrients

b) Excretion of end products

c) Digestion

d) Regulation of body temperature

e) Lubrication

f) Metabolism of nutrients in the body takes place in the presence of water.

Sources of water in the human body

– Water provided through drink

– Water contained in food items

– Metabolic water

Factors on which daily water requirement depends

– Perspiration

– Exercise

– Lactation

– Diarrhea

– Type of food

Effect of water restriction

The restriction in the supply of water leads to several

disorders depending on the degree of starvation.

– Heat stroke: due to excessive summer temperature.

– Reduction in growth rate

– Reduction in feed efficiency