What percentage of the human body is comprised of water?

The human body is comprised of approximately 60% water, which is crucial for various physiological processes. Water plays a vital role in maintaining temperature, transporting nutrients and oxygen to cells, and facilitating chemical reactions necessary for metabolism. It is essential for hydration and helps in the functioning of organs, muscles, and joints.

While some estimates suggest that body water composition can vary based on factors such as age, sex, and body fat percentage, the widely accepted average for adults typically hovers around 60%. This percentage can be slightly lower in women due to generally higher body fat percentages, but it reinforces the importance of water in the human body regardless of individual variations.

The value of 70% may be more reflective of certain perspectives or figures associated with infants or specific tissues, and values approaching 50% are too low considering the significant role water has in fundamental biological functions. Thus, the correct answer is the one that most accurately reflects the average percentage of water in the human body, which is close to 60%.