WATER AS A CLASS OF FOOD IN THE BODY, What is water?
Water is composed of two elements, hydrogen and oxygen. It is two molecules of hydrogen to a molecule of oxygen in percentage.
We cannot fully comprehend the fullness of life without the importance of water to living things. There is this adage in Nigeria that says water has no enemy.
How true this word is can be seen right through the pages of the bible and our everyday activities.
Water is not typically considered a class of food, but rather a fundamental component of various food and an essential nutrient for all living organisms, including humans.
It is often referred to as the “universal solvent” because it dissolves a wide range of substances, making it a critical component of many biological processes.
In the context of nutrition and food, water is not classified as one of the three macronutrients, which include carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.
These macronutrients provide energy and are the primary components of food. Water, on the other hand, is considered a micronutrient or a dietary essential because it is required for various bodily functions but does not provide calories or energy directly.
However, water plays a crucial role in the following aspects of nutrition and food:
- Hydration: Water is essential for maintaining proper hydration levels in the body. It helps regulate body temperature, transport nutrients, and remove waste products.
- Food Preparation: Water is used in cooking and food preparation to steam, boil, or simmer ingredients. It is also used in various food processing techniques.
- Food Composition: Many foods contain a significant amount of water, which contributes to their texture, juiciness, and overall sensory characteristics. For example, fruits and vegetables are high in water content.
- Digestion: Water is involved in the digestion process. It helps break down food in the stomach and intestines and facilitates the absorption of nutrients.
- Nutrient Transport: Water serves as a medium for the transport of nutrients, such as minerals and vitamins, throughout the body.
While water itself is not classified as a class of food, its presence in food and its importance in overall health and nutrition cannot be overstated.
Staying properly hydrated by consuming an adequate amount of water and obtaining water from foods like fruits and vegetables is essential for maintaining good health and well-being.
Historically, water serves as a means or instrument of purification. Although the scope of this article will not delve deep into the characteristics of good water, uses of water at home, or the general importance of water to farmers in the scope of agriculture science.
types of water
Water can be hard or soft.
Water contains a lot of micro living organisms that can only be seen with the aid of a microscope.
For the intent of this article, the body of animals mostly humans consists of at least 70% water. Water can be found in its natural and artificial states and can be found everywhere like the aquatic habitats.
In fact, water is termed as the pivot of life itself. No water no life.
Let us take a look at the availability of water and its sources water as class of food
SOURCES OF WATER AS A CLASS OF FOOD
Sources of water available to animals include metabolic water from food, and drinking water from taps, rivers, rainwater and ponds.
IMPORTANCE OF WATER AS A CLASS OF FOOD
The essential importance of water to animals is listed in the following ways
i. Water is required for metabolic activities in the body
ii. Water is necessary for the digestion of food
iii. Water can be used for the maintenance of body temperature
iv. Water is the main component of plants and animals. It forms about 75% of the body of humans
v. Water can act as a solvent for soluble food substances in digestion
vi. Water serves as a medium of transportation for nutrients
vii. Water constitutes a greater part of blood
viii. Water helps to maintain the osmotic content of the body tissues
ix. Water is the basis of secretion from endocrine glands
You can read about the water cycle here
1. Water cycle
2. Maintenance of soil water
3. Protein as a class of food
4. Carbohydrates as a class of food
5. Classes of minerals and deficiency symptoms
6. Classes of vitamins and deficiency symptoms
7. Types of carbohydrates
ROUGHAGES
Roughages consist of indigestible fibrous materials derived from vegetables, fruits, carbohydrates and proteins.
Roughages provide bulk to the intestinal content thereby stimulating the movement of the bowel.
Lack of Roughages in the diet can cause constipation.
Roughages are easily digested by microorganisms in the intestinal tract. Water as the class of food
Here is a typical example of the classes of food and water as the class of food
1. VITAMINS=====fruits, vegetables, egg, milk, liver oil etc.
2. FAT=======groundnut, melon, butter, margarine, palm oil, soya bean oil and cod liver oil
3. WATER============Water in plants, water in animals, water in drinks, beverages and food
4. MINERAL SALTS========vegetables, fruits, bones, egg and table salt
5. CARBOHYDRATES=======Rice, bread, millet, cassava, yam, cocoyam, potato etc.
6. PROTEIN=========MEAT, BEANS, GROUNDNUT ETC.
You can read some of the most interesting topics below HERE YOU WILL FIND EVERY AVAILABLE TOPICS ABOUT AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE AND BIOLOGY. AND THE LINKS TO THEIR VARIOUS SOURCES.
