IMPORTANCE OF WATER AS A NUTRITIONAL FACTOR

Ordinarily, water does not attract attention as a nutrient. This is because it is so common and thus people tend to overlook it.

Water accounts for about 55-70 percent of total body weight. This shows how important it is , as a nutritional factor.

If water is eliminated from diet completely, death will occur in a matter of days whereas if any other nutrient is eliminated from diet, people can survive longer.

Water is by far the most critical of all nutrients. It is an essential component of all cell structures and is the medium in which all the chemical reactions of cellular metabolism takes place.

The water available to the body is of two kinds - water taken from outside with or without food and water generated within the body.

The water generated within the body as a result of oxidation of foodstuffs is referred to as metabolic water. This accounts for nearly 15 percent of the daily total water available from ordinary intake of food and drinks.

Since water is compatible with many food substances, it serves as ideal medium of transporting nutrients to the cell where cellular mebabolism takes place.

Water is involved in the proper maintenance of body temperature.

Water helps to distribute heat evenly within the body because of its high conductivity property.

It also helps to remove excess heat by vaporization process.

Furthermore, water plays a lubricating role in body movement. It serves a cushioning device that facilitates movement of the joints. This is because water is not readily compressible and moreover, it has flow characteristics.

Water is also actively involved in various metabolic reactions, particularly those involving hydrolysis and hydration reactions.

SOURCES OF WATER: 

Water is available as drinking or portable water in the homes. Water is also available in all the beverages one drinks.

Another good souce of water is the food we eat. Watery foods such as pap, soups, porridge, are good sources of water.

Even the foods that appear to be dry still contain some quantity of water. For example, a piece of bread contains as much as 35% water content.

On the average, solid foods contribute between 20 and 50 percent water needed daily.

Another source of water is the metabolic water which is generated within the body. For instance, when amino acids are utilized for the synthesis of proteins, water is produced as a by-product. Similarly, formation of fats leads to production of water and so on.