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4. Relationship between Humans and Water

4.1. Water in our body

About 60% of the mass of the human body is made up of water, which is involved in many reactions
like blood circulation, digestion and excretion. Without water, humans cannot survive. If you don’t
get enough water, you can become dehydrated. Severe cases of dehydration can cause dizziness,
confusion, and even seizures. That’s why it’s important to get the water as your body needs every
day. How much you need can depend on human body size, physical exercise, weather outside, and
other things.

Water also plays an important part in urban development that all of the four ancient civilizations
grew up along large river valleys.

Apart from drinking, we use water to cook, clean our houses and to take a shower in our daily lives.

In production processes, water is used in agriculture, aquaculture, animal husbandry, textile
industry, heavy industry, sewage treatment and electricity generation.

Protein 18%
13

Water 60%

Fat 16%

Newborn Toddler Child Man Woman Senior
Minerals 6%

Source: www.otsuka.co.jp/en/nutraceutical/about/rehydration/water/body-fluid/

The benefits of having safe drinking water:

• Health (physically, mentally and socially) - Hygiene interventions including hygiene
education and promotion of hand washing can lead to a reduction of diarrhea cases by as
much as 45%. (Source: WHO)
• Child mortality - decreases, meaning fewer babies and children are dying from preventable
diseases.
• Productivity - By being healthy, the productivity rate is much higher because children can go
to school and women and men are able to work.

This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This communication reflects the
views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the

information contained therein.