The science of saline – why can we drink pure water, but when we put water into our bodies in other ways, like an IV, must we add minerals to it?

Question

The science of saline – why can we drink pure water, but when we put water into our bodies in other ways, like an IV, must we add minerals to it?

In: 480

Answer 1

Your assumption is not correct: you cannot drink pure water. You need some sort of minerals in your water. That can come from food or, better, a little bit in the water and much more from the food.