Distinguishing between water weight and fat is important for a number of reasons. Excess body fat is what’s most concerning, per experts. This is what is associated with weight-related diseases like type 2 diabetes, digestive issues, heart disease, stroke, osteoarthritis, fatty liver disease, and even certain cancers like breast cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer, and pancreatic cancer.
The water in your body performs crucial functions like nourishing your cells, metabolizing and transporting proteins and carbohydrates, helping flush out waste, regulating body temperature, protecting sensitive tissues, and keeping your joints lubricated. Knowing whether or not you’re in a healthy water percentage range in relation to your body weight can help you maintain good overall health.
A measurement of your bone mass is particularly important for healthy aging. For example, building bone density can help prevent osteoporosis. You reach peak bone mass at around age 30 typically. Bone mass starts to decline by the time we turn 40 and this is when proper nutrition and exercise become even more important.