The Effect of a Restricted Water Intake on the Body Composition in Young Females on Rations of Moderate or High Nutritive Value

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Abstract
Eighteen young, well-nourished women were subjected to one of 2 different emergency rations for 1 week. Ration A contained 1500 cal, 45 g protein, and 3 g NaCl; Ration B, 2000 cal, 90 g protein, and 9 g NaCL The total water intake was limited to 1060 ml in both groups. The study was undertaken in order to observe the reaction of young women to emergency diets with a caloric and nutritional content close to their ordinary diet but at a reduced water intake. The cumulative balances for water, N2, K, and Na were negative for all cases except that those subjects on Ration B who had a lower body weight were in N2 balance. The mean reduction in body weight was 1.2 kg in Group A and 0.9 kg in Group B. In Group A, it was primarily a question of a reduction in body cell mass and body fat and to a smaller extent an intracellular dehydration. The subjective symptoms were minimal. In Group B, the osmotic load (about 880 mOsm/day) caused a maximal urine concentration, a slight reduction in body cell mass, and an intracellular and extracellular dehydration with increased plasma omolarity. In most cases, there was pronounced thirst and fatigue. It was concluded that a daily intake of 1 liter of water is sufficient for healthy women who have access to an almost normal amount of calories and nutrients.

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