On average, which gender has a higher percentage of water in the human body?

On average, male bodies have about 60% water, whereas female bodies, due to more fatty tissue, have about 55%. Newborns are about 75-80% water, reducing to 60-65% within the first year after birth.

Body and water composition varies between genders and fitness. The more fatty tissue, the less amount of water. Mental concentration and physical coordination can decrease at a loss of even 1% water concentration in the human body. The involuntary thirst sensation does not start until the water concentration drops 2-3%. Dehydration can begin to be classified as mild to severe when the percentage drops 5%.

Water has many functions in the human physiology. Among them are: Used to construct new cells; assist to metabolize proteins and other nutrients; and as an insulator from both heat and physical impacts (shock).

There are many recommendations on the amount of water a person should drink in a single day, ranging from 2 liters all the way to 4 liters.

More Info: www.thoughtco.com

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48 Comments

Helen Dovenmuehle

I'm a BSN, RN and was taught the human body is approximately 70% water. Considering it's based on percentages, it doesn't matter your ht, wt, or stature. I don't agree with the answer.

gracelind

thought it was female since we retain water with hormones every month ,pregancy etc... not sure i agree with the answer... when do men retain water for any reason ??

Sue Gembrini-Spataro

The way water I thought it would be women.

Elsy O. Stromberg

Some people think there's no water in the human body? Hard to believe.

Lynne Zeman

Did not know that. Guessed females because of the higher level of fatty tissue in females. Guess I guessed wrong. But I would think lean muscle would retain less moisture than fat.

Edie Hart

Carol Thiessen, The question asked about a higher percentage of water, so size doesn't matter.

Chris Braid

Debby Thomas Blyler, Me too!

ninakamwene

Missed it

Carol Thiessen

male, just because they are larger

Emma Chan

Ha! The doctors of the church used to argue that women had more water then men and therefore were more prone to temptation. Yeah, I don’t see the connection either but it was one of their earnestly held beliefs. It wasn’t the only difference between the sexes they had the wrong way around

Wendy Petty

So, a lean fit women could have more water than a fat man. Or the other way if they have similar body types. Or, as stated in the answer women less than a man. It depends on who. It depends on the fat content and as we are tending to obesity who can say what the average is these days with so many variables? I would then think this is a question that shouldn't have posted.