Water - Diet and Nutrition

WATER

Water is vital for life because it helps stabilize the structures of large molecules, such as proteins and starch, functions as a medium for most biochemical reactions, acts as a solvent for electrolytes, glucose, vitamins, minerals and numerous other small molecules and transports nutrients to, and waste products away from, cells as well as around the whole body. The GIT secretes some 7–9 dm3of water that aids the digestion and absorption ofnutrients. To maintain these functions, loss of body water should match intake to ensure water balance . It is recommended that two to three dm3 of water should be consumed daily, of which about 60% should be liquid water and the rest obtained from seemingly solid foods.