What percentage of the human body is made up of water?

The human body is made up of approximately 60% water. This figure can vary slightly depending on factors like age, sex, and body composition, but around 60% is a commonly accepted average for adults. Water plays a critical role in numerous bodily functions, including temperature regulation, nutrient transportation, and waste elimination.

In infants, the percentage of water is higher, around 75-78%, which decreases as they grow. Adult males generally have a higher percentage of body water than adult females, attributable to differences in body composition; males typically have more muscle mass, which contains more water than fat tissue. This understanding of body composition emphasizes the importance of water as a vital component of biological systems.