When you drink water, it follows a specific path and is absorbed and distributed throughout your body as follows:
- Water enters your mouth, passes down the esophagus, and reaches the stomach. Some minimal absorption occurs in the stomach, but most water absorption happens later
- The majority of water absorption occurs in the small intestine, especially in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. The small intestine absorbs about 90-95% of ingested water. Water passes through the intestinal walls into the bloodstream mainly by osmosis, driven by osmotic gradients created by sodium and other solutes
- The remaining 5-10% of water is absorbed in the large intestine (colon), which reabsorbs water to maintain fluid balance and prevent dehydration. This process also solidifies the waste into feces
- Once absorbed into the bloodstream, water is transported via the vascular system to interstitial spaces and then into cells. About 65% of total body water is intracellular, meaning water enters every cell in the body
- Excess water is eventually eliminated through urine by the kidneys, sweat through the skin, water vapor in breath, and small amounts in feces
In summary, after drinking, water is absorbed mainly in the small intestine, then distributed through the blood to all body cells, supporting physiological functions, and excess is excreted primarily via urine and sweat
