How does the body regulate its water balance?
How does the body regulate its water balance?
The human body uses and loses water every day. Lifestyle and environmental conditions have a significant impact on an individual’s own level of water loss, but on average, a typical adult loses about 2.6 litres (L) per day.³
water loss
Additional water losses via sweat will be induced by physical exercise and/or a hot environment and could contribute to water losses of up to several litres.
We gain water through fluid and food intake and metabolic water production mainly through food nutrient utilization by the body. Metabolic water production represents 0.3 L per day, on average, and water from foods can vary greatly according to dietary habits. Our remaining requirement needs to be provided by fluids.
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The maintenance of a correct water balance (the net difference between water gain and water losses) is essential to good health.
It is all the more essential as there is no real water storage in the body: the water we lose needs be replaced, and humans cannot survive more than a few days without water¹ ².
We lose water on a daily basis.
- Through the respiratory tract (by breathing)
- Through the gastro-intestinal tract (faeces)
- Through the skin (perspiration and sweating)
- Through the kidneys (urine excretion)
water balance
