# Hamburger -- what the heck is the rest of it? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 19, 2013, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hamburger-what-the-heck-is-the-rest-of-it/658753 "2013-05-19T19:08:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![tracer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tracer/32/20578_2.png) [@tracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tracer)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2013, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hamburger-what-the-heck-is-the-rest-of-it/658753/1 "2013-05-19T19:08:44Z")
I just glanced at the Nutrition Facts label for a package of extra-lean (7% fat) hamburger. Here are some highlights: Serving size: 4 ounces (113 g) Total fat: 8g Protein: 24g Carbohydrate: 0g So … a whole serving is 113 grams, of which 24 grams are protein, 8 grams are fat, and none is carbohydrate. My question is: _What the heck are the other 81 grams?!_ ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2013, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hamburger-what-the-heck-is-the-rest-of-it/658753/2 "2013-05-19T19:11:42Z")
Almost all water. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2013, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hamburger-what-the-heck-is-the-rest-of-it/658753/3 "2013-05-19T19:12:13Z")
They’re in the sewage system. The other 81 grams is the stuff your body had no need for and didn’t digest. ---
**Author:** ![tracer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tracer/32/20578_2.png) [@tracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tracer)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2013, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hamburger-what-the-heck-is-the-rest-of-it/658753/4 "2013-05-19T19:14:22Z")
> [@runner pat](#): > > Almost all water. Really? I mean, I know hamburger meat shrinks _somewhat_ when you cook it, but I had no idea that over _seventy percent_ of it was just plain old dihydrogen monoxide. That means even a _cooked_ hamburger must still be more than half water. Ye gads, I’ll never have to drink again! ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2013, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hamburger-what-the-heck-is-the-rest-of-it/658753/5 "2013-05-19T19:21:01Z")
> [@tracer](#): > > Really? > > I mean, I know hamburger meat shrinks _somewhat_ when you cook it, but I had no idea that over _seventy percent_ of it was just plain old dihydrogen monoxide. > > That means even a _cooked_ hamburger must still be more than half water. Ye gads, I’ll never have to drink again! [From here.](http://triathlete-europe.competitor.com/2012/04/04/hydration-essentials-the-truth-about-water) > [@](#): > > Well-hydrated muscles are high in fluid content— in fact, water makes up 70 to 75 percent of an athlete’s muscle tissue. Granted, I doubt cows are classified as athletes but I’m sure they’re well hydrated. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![mozchron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c2a13f/32.png) [@mozchron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mozchron)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2013, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hamburger-what-the-heck-is-the-rest-of-it/658753/6 "2013-05-19T19:23:52Z")
> [@tracer](#): > > Really? > > I mean, I know hamburger meat shrinks _somewhat_ when you cook it, but I had no idea that over _seventy percent_ of it was just plain old dihydrogen monoxide. > > That means even a _cooked_ hamburger must still be more than half water. Ye gads, I’ll never have to drink again! If you want to taste beef without water, go eat some stale beef jerky. If it has the consistency of worn out shoe leather its about right. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2013, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hamburger-what-the-heck-is-the-rest-of-it/658753/7 "2013-05-19T19:32:08Z")
A typical human is 60 - 70% water. I doubt cows area all that different. So unless you completely dehydrate the meat once it’s butchered, it’s still going to have most of that water still in it. Keep in mind that most of that water is inside the cells, so it’s not like there is just a bunch of water floating around in the meat. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2013, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hamburger-what-the-heck-is-the-rest-of-it/658753/8 "2013-05-19T19:36:05Z")
Is this like asking what’s the other 98% of the 2% milk? ---
**Author:** ![Michael63129](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3da27b/32.png) [@Michael63129](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Michael63129)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2013, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hamburger-what-the-heck-is-the-rest-of-it/658753/9 "2013-05-19T20:31:26Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > Is this like asking what’s the other 98% of the 2% milk? No; 2% milk means that it is 2% fat by weight; a cup of 2% milk (about 250 grams) will have 5 grams of fat, 12 grams of carbohydrates and 8 grams of protein, plus another gram or two for vitamins and minerals, for a water content of about 90%. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2013, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hamburger-what-the-heck-is-the-rest-of-it/658753/10 "2013-05-19T23:43:37Z")
> [@tracer](#): > > Really? > > I mean, I know hamburger meat shrinks _somewhat_ when you cook it, but I had no idea that over _seventy percent_ of it was just plain old dihydrogen monoxide. That sounds about right. Jerky recipes range from a finishing weight of 1/2 - 1/4 of the starting weight, so over 70% water content does not sound incorrect.