What Is Water From A Nutritional Perspective?
Water is found in almost all foods. It is an essential macronutrient.
Water plays many important roles in food. The presence of water can change both the taste and the nutritional value of a food.
The more water a food contains, the less energy-dense it is.
Foods that are high in moisture are at risk of contamination from the growth of microorganisms such as bacteria, yeast, and mold.
While dry foods generally have long shelf lives.
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Water Exists In Almost All Foods
Water is present in almost all foods. It’s the most important diluent of food solids. (source ◳)
The amount of water in foods is a determinant of its nutritional value and taste. (source ◳)
Water in foods can make the difference between a good meal and a bad one. The water content of food matters for us.
We can make better choices if we know how much water a food has.
Water is important for the way food tastes. When we add water to a food, we change the flavor.
Water is also important for our bodies because it helps to keep us healthy and helps to move things through our bodies.
What Does Water Do In Foods?
Water is considered an impurity in certain foods. (source ◳)
Water is important for microbiological life and enzymatic activities in foods.
The stability and shelf life of foods are highly dependent on water content. (source ◳)
Water In Foods When Determining Food Quality
Water in foods is important when determining food quality.
For example, with regard to quality control of meat, the water content of meat is an important index, because meat has a low water content.
In order to maintain the quality of meat, the water content must be controlled to be maintained at a predetermined level.
However, if the water content of meat is high, the meat becomes easily damaged. Therefor, it is important to maintain the water content of meat at a low level.
Foods You Can Find Water In
You find water mostly in beverage, and baby food products. Of course, bottled water is at the top of the list of foods that contain water.
Examples of food sources include
Foods in our nutrition tool
You can find regularly updated, top ranked lists of foods for over 200+ nutrients in our nutrition tool.
If you are interested in what foods contain the most water we recommend you visit our tool.
Here's our top ranked list of foods that contain water.
