What does it mean to dehydrate food?

Dehydrating food involves removing moisture, which is critical for preservation and enhancing shelf life. This process slows down the growth of microorganisms and enzymes that can lead to spoilage, making it an effective method of food preservation. When moisture is removed from food, it becomes lightweight and less prone to rotting, allowing it to be stored for extended periods without refrigeration.

The other options describe different food preservation techniques that do not accurately represent dehydration. Freezing food preserves it through low temperatures, heating food effectively kills bacteria but does not focus on moisture removal, and marinating involves using acidic solutions to flavor food rather than preserving it by removing moisture. Dehydration specifically targets moisture content, making option C the correct choice.