Maintaining fluid balance is vital for physical and mental performance. Thirst is one of the most important mechanisms to maintain water balance. Drinking Water Helps Maintain the Balance of Body Fluids. Water is one of the most essential nutrients that the body requires. Drinking water is often overlooked as a necessary part of staying healthy. If we remember that life […] The sensation becomes stronger as the body’s need for water increases, motivating a person to drink the needed fluids. Introduction to Water Metabolism 2. Water balance is the concept that the amount of water lost from the body is equal to the amount of water consumed. Water speeds up the breakdown of food and absorption of nutrients. Introduction to Water Metabolism: Of the three factors, water, salts and food, water is the most important. Both water intake and water losses are controlled to reach water balance. Distribution of Water in the Body 3. Mitchell, Journal of Biological Chemistry 158, the brain and heart are composed of 73% water, and the lungs are about 83% water. The body and blood are largely made of water, and so we need a lot of fluid to function. Water is of major importance to all living things; in some organisms, up to 90% of their body weight comes from water. When the body needs water, nerve centers deep within the brain are stimulated, resulting in the sensation of thirst. The movement of water by osmosis is the main reason why it is so important to control the water balance of the body. Active transport uses energy to move substances against (up) a concentration gradient or across a partially permeable membrane. ADVERTISEMENTS: In this article we will discuss about:- 1. Water Balance. Two-thirds of the total body water is intracellular and found in the cytoplasm and nucleus of all types of cells: red blood cells, white blood cells, epithelial cells, fat cells, etc. The Importance of Fluid Balance and Hydration. Up to 60% of the human adult body is water. Fluid balance ensures that the body stays hydrated; this is important for normal functioning of the body and optimal health. The regulation of water balance is very precise, as a loss of 1% of body water is usually compensated within 24h. The total weight of an average human body is made up of 35–40 % tissue and bone and 60–65 % water. On the other hand, 70% of an adult body consists of water, and as people gain weight their bodies have more fat and less water. Your body is composed of about 60% water. Water performs several important functions in the body: Water dissolves and transports minerals, vitamins, proteins, and other important substances throughout the body. Water Content in Various Tissues 4. Drinking enough fluids is important when exercising. Minute changes in plasma osmolarity are the main factors that trigger these homeostatic mechanisms. According to H.H. We call this water total body water, and it is distributed into 3 compartments throughout the body. Functions of Water 5.