Body water facts for kids

Body water is all the water inside an animal's body. It's found in your tissues, blood, bones, and even your brain! This water makes up a huge part of your body, both by how much you weigh and how much space you take up.

All this water added together is called total body water (TBW). Keeping the right amount of water in your body is super important. It's part of something called fluid balance, which helps your body stay stable and healthy. This stability is known as homeostasis.

Template:TOC limit=3

Why Water is Super Important for Your Body

Water is not just for drinking; it's a vital part of almost everything your body does! Think of it as the main ingredient for life. Without enough water, your body can't work properly.

How Water Helps Your Body Work

Water plays many key roles in keeping you healthy and active:

• Carries Nutrients: Water in your blood helps carry important nutrients and oxygen to all your cells.
• Removes Waste: It also helps your body get rid of waste products through urine and sweat.
• Controls Temperature: When you sweat, water helps cool your body down, keeping your temperature just right.
• Protects Your Body: Water acts like a cushion for your brain, spinal cord, and joints.
• Helps Digestion: It helps break down food and move it through your digestive system.

Water and Your Daily Life

Every time you move, think, or even breathe, your body uses water. That's why it's so important to drink enough water every day, especially when you're active or it's hot outside.

Where is Water Found in Your Body?

Your body's water isn't just floating around; it's carefully stored in different "compartments" or areas.

Inside Your Cells: Intracellular Fluid

About two-thirds of your body's total water is found inside your cells. This is called intracellular fluid (ICF). Think of your cells as tiny water balloons, each filled with the fluid they need to do their jobs.

Outside Your Cells: Extracellular Fluid

The other one-third of your body's water is found outside your cells. This is called extracellular fluid (ECF). The ECF is divided into a few main parts:

• Plasma: This is the watery part of your blood. It carries blood cells, nutrients, and waste.
• Interstitial Fluid: This fluid surrounds your cells, filling the spaces between them. It helps nutrients and waste move between your blood and your cells.
• Other Fluids: This includes water in your joints, eyes, and the fluid that surrounds your brain and spinal cord.

How Much Water Do You Have?

The amount of water in your body changes as you grow.

• Babies: Newborns have the most water, around 75% to 80% of their body weight.
• Children and Teens: As you get older, this percentage drops a bit, usually around 60% to 70%.
• Adults: Adult men typically have about 60% water, while adult women have about 55%. This difference is mainly because women tend to have more body fat, and fat tissue has less water than muscle tissue.

Staying Hydrated: Fluid Balance

Keeping the right amount of water in your body is called fluid balance. It means that the amount of water you take in (from drinking and food) is about the same as the amount of water you lose (through urine, sweat, breathing, and stool).

What Happens if You Don't Drink Enough?

If you don't drink enough water, you can become dehydrated. This means your body doesn't have enough fluid to work properly. Signs of dehydration can include:

• Feeling thirsty
• Having dry mouth
• Not peeing very often, or having dark yellow pee
• Feeling tired or dizzy
• Having a headache

How Much Water Do You Need?

The amount of water you need depends on many things, like your age, how active you are, the weather, and your health. A good general rule is to drink water throughout the day, especially when you feel thirsty. Eating fruits and vegetables also helps, as they contain a lot of water!

See also

In Spanish: Agua corporal para niños