water
About waterWater is a fundamental nutrient essential for life, serving as the medium for all biochemical reactions, transport processes, and temperature regulation in the human body.Water is the primary component of the human body, making up roughly 50–70% of total body mass depending on age, sex, and body composition. In nutrition, water is classified as an essential nutrient because it is required daily and cannot be stored in sufficient amounts. It acts as a solvent for vitamins, minerals, glucose, and amino acids, enabling digestion, absorption, and cellular metabolism. Blood plasma, lymph, and intracellular fluid all rely on adequate hydration to transport nutrients and remove metabolic waste products such as urea and carbon dioxide. Beyond transport, water plays a critical role in thermoregulation and physiological stability. Through sweating and evaporation, it allows the body to dissipate excess heat and maintain a stable core temperature. Water also supports joint lubrication, protects organs and tissues, and maintains blood volume and pressure. Even mild dehydration can impair physical performance, cognitive function, and cardiovascular efficiency, highlighting water’s direct impact on overall nutritional status. From a nutritional perspective, water quality and intake are as important as quantity. Drinking water contributes electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium, especially in mineral waters, which can meaningfully support daily micronutrient needs. While water provides no energy (kcal), it is indispensable for energy metabolism itself—without sufficient hydration, the body cannot efficiently utilize carbohydrates, fats, or proteins. In this sense, water underpins all aspects of nutrition, making it one of the most critical yet often underestimated dietary components. water how to
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