WATER
Have you ever stayed a day without drinking water?, how does it feel?. Water is one of the six classes of food. Water is one nutrient that cannot be avoided. It is the most vital nutrient needed by the body to survive. Imagine staying for days in the desert without water. You can stay in the desert for few days without food but not water.
Most Essencial Nutrient.(H2O)
Water chemically known as H2O is responsible for body balance. It helps in the maintainance of the body system. Water keeps the body hydrated. Without water the body becomes dehydrated which can even lead to death, therefore regarding it as the most essential nutrient required by the body for maintainance and sustainance.
Functions of Water In The Body
1. Water helps in the flow of oxygen in the body:
It helps to transport nutrients and oxygen throughout the body. It also improves blood circulation all over the body.
2. Regulation of body temperature:
Staying hydrated helps to maintain the body temperature. Water can be lost in the body in different ways e.g sweat, urine. When the body loses water, It needs to be replaced by water intake. The body loses electrolytes and plasma when dehydrated causing rise in the temperature of the body system. To maintain water balance, water lost is equal to water intake.
3. Helps to prevent illness/sickness:
Plenty of water intake helps to prevent health issues like; constipation, hypertension, urinary tract infection, kidney stone e.t.c.
4. It guards the body tissues, joints and spinal cord:
Drinking water well helps to keep the body organs lubricated for easy movement without discomfort.
5. It helps in the elimination of waste product of metabolism from the body:
Waste products can be removed from the body through; sweat, urine and faeces. Water is lost in the body through exercising therefore needs to be replaced by taking water. Water is also lost through urination. The body filters waste through urine from the kidney and needs to be replaced for better functioning of the kidney.
6. Water Serves As A Universal Solvent
Water dissolves many substances like salts, sugars, gases, and nutrients.This allows chemical reactions to occur easily inside the body.
7. Medium for Chemical Reactions
Most biochemical reactions occur in water, including:
-
- Digestion (hydrolysis reactions)
- Metabolism
8. Protection (Shock Absorber)
Water cushions sensitive organs such as:
a. Brain (cerebrospinal fluid)
b. Baby in womb (amniotic fluid)
9. Maintains Osmotic Balance
Water regulates the concentration of fluids and electrolytes in cells and blood.
Symptoms Of Dehydration
Insufficient water in the body leads to dehydration. Here are some of the symptoms of dehydration;
- Fatigue
- Increased thirst
- Decreased urination
- Dry skin
- Constipation
- Dizzyness
- Headache
Notice any of these symptoms, please drink water.
Water As The Foundation of Life
Water is one of the most essential substances on Earth, vital to all known forms of life. Scientifically known as H₂O, it is composed of two hydrogen atoms bonded to one oxygen atom. Despite its simple molecular structure, water has unique physical and chemical properties that make it indispensable for biological, environmental, and industrial processes.
1. Chemical Structure and Properties
At the molecular level, water is a polar molecule. This means it has a slight positive charge on the hydrogen side and a slight negative charge on the oxygen side. This polarity allows water molecules to form hydrogen bonds with each other, giving rise to several important properties:
- High boiling and melting points compared to similar molecules.
- Cohesion and adhesion, enabling capillary action.
- High surface tension, allowing insects to walk on water.
- Excellent solvent abilities, earning it the name “universal solvent”.
Water can exist in three states:
- Solid (ice).
- Liquid (water).
- Gas (water vapor).
2. How Water Is Distributed on Earth
About 71% of the Earth’s surface is covered by water. However, most of it is not directly usable:
- 97% is saltwater found in oceans.
- 3% is freshwater.
- Less than 1% is accessible for human use e.g, lakes, rivers, groundwater.
3. The Hydrologic Cycle
Water constantly moves through the environment in a continuous process known as the Hydrologic Cycle. This cycle includes:
- Evaporation – water turns into vapour due to heat.
- Condensation – vapour cools and forms clouds.
- Precipitation – rain, snow, or hail falls to Earth.
- Infiltration and runoff – water returns to oceans or seeps into the ground.
This cycle regulates climate and supports ecosystems worldwide.
4. Biological Importance
Water is essential for life due to its role in biological processes:
- It makes up about 60–70% of the human body.
- It is involved in digestion, circulation, and temperature regulation.
- It acts as a medium for biochemical reactions.
- Plants use water in photosynthesis, a process by which green plants convert sunlight into chemical energy to produce food and release oxygen as a byproduct.
Without water, cells cannot function, and life cannot exist.
5. Economic and Industrial Uses
Water plays a critical role in human activities:
- Agriculture: helps crops to grow through rainfall and irrigation system of farming.
- Industry: by cooling machines during manufacturing of goods.
- Energy production: provides hydroelectric power.
- Domestic use: drinking, cooking, cleaning, washing e.t.c.
Access to clean water is a key factor in economic development.
6. Environmental Importance
Water sustains ecosystems:
- Aquatic habitats support fish, plants, and microorganisms.
- Wetlands filter pollutants and prevent flooding.
- Oceans regulate global temperature by absorbing heat.
Water also shapes landscapes through erosion and sediment transport.
7. Water Pollution and Conservation
Pollution Sources:
- Industrial waste.
- Agricultural runoff (fertilizers, pesticides).
- Oil spills.
- Plastic waste.
Pollution can lead to diseases and damage of the ecosystem.
Conservation Strategies:
- Efficient water use.
- Wastewater treatment.
- Protection of watersheds.
- Rainwater harvesting.
Sustainable management is necessary to ensure future water availability.
8. Water and Human Health
Clean water is critical for preventing diseases such as:
- Cholera.
- Typhoid.
- Dysentery.
Organizations like the World Health Organization emphasize access to safe drinking water as a basic human right.
summary:
Water is far more than just a common liquid. It is the backbone of life, ecosystems, and human civilization. From its unique molecular properties to its role in sustaining life and shaping the planet, water remains one of the most valuable natural resources and nutrient. Protecting and managing it responsibly is essential for the survival and well-being of present and future generations