Expert: Dana Krempels, Ph.D. - 2/27/2008

Question
Blessings to you Dana,
not sure if this is a question to you, this is all new to me and not sure where to go to get the answer.
The human body made up of 70+% of water, the water in the body I'm having a guess is more of a salty water than fresh water that is one question is that right, the other one which is more of my intrest does this vary on person to person and if it does do you know if it is related to where they live in relation to the ocean, against in land where it is more fresh water rivers.

Thank you for you answer how ever it comes, with much love and gratitude
Ama'taria


Answer
Dear Ama'taria

When sources cite the human body as containing a certain percentage of water, they mean molecules of water--H2O--not water solutions containing salts.  Many things are dissolved and carried in the water in our body, so it makes sense to talk about "% water" only if you consider the *pure* water.

The human body contains anywhere from about 55 - 78% water, depending on state of hydration, body size, individual physiology and other factors.  I don't know whether there is a strong correlation between % water content and geographic location or genetics.  (I suspect that the latter would be more likely, as long as we're talking about normally hydrated individuals.)

Water content and salt balance are controlled by the internal homeostatic mechanisms of the body, not by surrounding humidity or amount of water, unless one considers that humans living in an area where water is plentiful are more likely to stay well hydrated than those who don't have as good access to clean, plentiful water.

Hope this helps.

Dana