What is the main function of water in nutrition?

The main function of water in nutrition is to transport nutrients throughout the body. Water serves as a solvent for various substances, allowing essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and glucose to dissolve and be carried via the bloodstream to cells, tissues, and organs where they are needed for metabolic processes. It also plays a crucial role in the elimination of waste products from the body through urine, ensuring that cells are not exposed to harmful toxins.

While regulating body temperature is a significant function of water, particularly as it helps with thermoregulation through sweating and evaporation, the primary role regarding nutrition is more directly tied to the transport of nutrients. Water does not provide energy directly, as it contains no calories, and although it supports growth by contributing to overall cellular functions and structural integrity, its immediate function related to nutrition is nutrient transport.