WATER 



FOODS RICH IN MINERAL MATTER 



73 



Water. Water neither builds up tissue nor furnishes heat 

 and energy to the body, but it is nevertheless indispensable 

 to health. It helps to move food along the alimentary canal, 

 it helps to dissolve food, it distributes food to all parts of the 

 body, and it assists the removal of waste matter. 



Since the digestive juices which act upon food, the blood 

 which carries food, and the urine which throws off waste matter 

 through the kidneys, contain a large proportion of water, it is 

 necessary that we drink large quantities of water daily. Bones 

 and muscle also contain water; in fact, about two thirds of the 

 entire weight of the body is water. No organ of the body is 

 independent of water; without it blood could not circulate 

 and distribute food; muscles could not contract and relax 

 because they would be hard and stiff; the skin could not throw 

 off waste matter as perspiration ; the kidneys could not dis- 

 charge poisonous substances by means of urine; the bowels 

 could not eject undigested substances because they would be 

 hard and dry and unable to move. The constant replenishing 

 of this large quantity of water is essential to life, and hence a 

 plentiful supply of it should be taken daily. 



Some of the water which the body needs is obtained from 

 foods, particularly from fruits and vegetables; asparagus and 

 tomatoes have over 90 per cent water, most fruits are more 



