WaterThe Most Important Nutrient

By: Casha and Chase

• Water is the most overlooked of all the 6 Nutrients

• Water is very essential to the body• It has to be replaced everyday• You can only survive a few days without it• Water is in every cell located in the body• Water is the main component for the

following body fluids: saliva, blood, urine, and perspiration

Water the Forgotten Nutrient

Vital Functions• Most adults body weight is 50-70% water• Fat tissue is 20-35% water• Muscle tissue is 75% water• The total percent of body weight from water

depends on the ratio of fat to lean body tissue• The higher percent of lean tissue; the higher

the percent of water weight• Water also controls the body temperature

Vocabulary Words• Reactant- a substance that enters a chemical reaction

and is changed by it• Solvent- Liquids in which substances can be dissolved• Lubricant- A substance that reduces friction between

surfaces• Intracellular Water- Water inside the cells• Extracellular Water- Water outside the cells• Diuretics- Substances that increase urination• Dehydration- A state when the body contains a lower-

than-normal amount of body fluids

Water Content in Foods• Lettuce-96%• Salsa-92%• Milk-91%• Cola-89%

• Orange Juice-87%• Tomato Soup-85%• Apple-84%

•Bread-38%•Cheese-37%•Butter-16%•Cookie-6%

•Milkshake-74%•Egg-75%•Potato-80%

Nearly every food existing contains water

•Tuna-84%•Pasta-66%•Chicken-65%

•Hotdog-54%•Beef-53%•Pizza-48%

Water Intoxication• Water intoxication is when you drink too much water

and become sick• Severe cases can result in death • It’s a very rare condition and happens when a large

quantity of water is consumed• It dilutes the concentration of electrolytes in the

extracellular fluid and when the electrolyte level stays low you become sick with muscle weakness and headaches

• There are bad effects from drinking too much water, but there are also bad effects from not drinking enough

Dehydration• A lack of water or loss of

water in the body

• The body takes steps to help conserve water by urinating less, sweat less, and the volume of fluids decrease the concentration of sodium in the bloodstream

Facilitates Chemical Reactions

• Chemical reactions that occur in the body needs water -such reactions break down carbohydrates, fats, and proteins for energy

• Makes formations of new compounds

• Helps enzymes• Water is a reactant in many chemical

reactions

Lubricates Surfaces• Water is an excellent lubricant in your bodyExamples:• Water in saliva lubricates food as you swallow

it• Water in the digestive system assists the easy

passage of nutrients• Tears lubricate your eyes

Transports Nutrients & Waste Products

• Water is a solvent• Water can also dissolve most substances• Blood is primarily made up of water• Water removes waste from the body through

perspiration

Regulates Body Temperature

• Blood and Perspiration is responsible for two levels that need to be balanced.

-The water inside cells and outside

-The water intake and excretion

Source of the Body’s Water Supply

• Most people need 2 to 3 quarts of water per day because usually you lose 2 to 3 quarts a day

• 12% of water needs are met through metabolism

• The human loses water through urine, skin as you sweat, moisture in your breath as you breathe, and bowel wastes

Factors that Increase Water Loss

• Hot weather causes sweating which then causes a loss of water

• Dry climates causes quick skin evaporation• Illness like vomiting, diarrhea, bleeding, and

fevers cause a loss of water-Drink plenty of liquids to replace the loss water

Water Loss• Water loss increases in higher altitudes due to

harder breathing• Exercise increases water loss because of sweat

and harder to breathe• When trying to lose weight, the first couple

pounds are made up of water• Not replacing water can make you become

dehydrated

The End