- Hydration: Water is essential for maintaining the body's fluid balance and hydration. It helps transport nutrients, regulate body temperature, and lubricate joints, organs, and tissues.
- Metabolic Processes: Water participates in various metabolic reactions, including digestion, absorption, and transportation of nutrients, minerals, and oxygen throughout the body.
- Transport of Hormones: Water acts as a solvent for the transportation of hormones and signaling molecules within the body, enabling communication between different tissues and organs.
- Regulating Body Temperature: Water plays a crucial role in temperature regulation. Its high heat capacity means it can absorb and release significant amounts of heat without drastic temperature changes. Through processes like sweating (in mammals) and panting (in dogs), animals can release excess body heat to the environment.
- Waste Removal: Water is necessary for the excretion of metabolic waste products through urine and feces, as well as for removing toxins and maintaining electrolyte balance.
- Lubrication of Joints: Water is a vital component of the synovial fluid in joints, acting as a lubricant to reduce friction and wear during movement and support bone health.