Body water

The total body water percentage is the total percentage of fluid in the human body and is generally indicated as a percentage (%).

Everyone should drink 2 to 3 litres of water each day. If there is a sufficient amount of body water the cells can regenerate better and 'age' more slowly. The blood stays more fluid, which takes the strain off the blood vessels and the heart and therefore reduces the risk of a heart attack. All organs – even the invertebral discs - benefit from optimum hydration. A good supply of lubrication is visible on the outside. The skin is firmer and stays smooth and young looking for longer.

It is common knowledge that not enough fluid is taken on board by all age groups. Elderly people often suffer from dehydration with serious consequences: memory loss, thickening of the blood with an increased risk of cardiovascular problems. Young healthy people also experience a loss of energy and vitality if their body water percentage is low.

The body water is divided into two liquid systems:

• The Intracellular space, that means the water is inside the cells. About 40% of the body weight is intracellular water.
• The Extracellular space, the water is outside the cells (about 15% of body weight). Here we separate the intracellular liquid between the cells (10%) and the intravascular liquid of the blood (5%).

In a healthy body there is a equal relation between water intake and outtake. The water intake consists of drinks and food. The water outtake happens over kidneys, skin (sweat), breath and bowels. The kidneys play the most important role during the outtake. They support a certain water balance by Retention and outtake of water and electrolyte.

The body water percentage can fluctuate a great deal over the course of a day, various influences such as meals, alcohol, physical exercise and illness can change the percentage. However, a one-off intake of a large amount of water will not change the overall percentage immediately and may even ostensibly increase the body fat percentage due to the short-term increase in weight. Only long-term monitoring of the body water percentage provides information regarding body composition.

The following guideline values for body water percentage are recommended by the WHO:

In the Overview of the ranges used in the GMON no critical ranges are stipulated in spite of the health risk presented in the event of an unfavourable body water percentage, as there is a close correlation with body fat percentage and consequently only an overall view seems wise.

Note: The overall percentage of body water will fall if the body fat percentage increases and it will increase if the body fat percentage drops.

People with a high body fat percentage may on average fall below the recommended body water percentage. When body fat is lost it should be ensured that the overall percentage of body water is gradually brought into the healthy range.

Refer:

Overview of the ranges used in the GMON