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Drinking is the act of consuming a liquid through the mouth. Water is required for many of life's physiological processes, and excess or decreased water intake is associated with health problems. "Drinking" may refer specifically to the ingestion of alcohol depending on the context in which the term is used.
Physiology
A daily intake of 1-2 liters of water is required for the normal physiological functioning of the human body, depending on ambient weather conditions and diet (especially salt intake). The absolute minimum over the long term is about 1.6 liters (600 ml for urine, 200 ml for fecal losses, and 800 ml for losses via the skin and lungs). This includes water contained in food (i.e. it is not essential for survival to drink 1-2 liters of water a day, though it is often recommended for good health).
The sensation caused by dehydration of the body is called "thirst". The sensation of thirst is a dry feeling in the back of the throat and an intense desire to drink fluids. Thirst is regulated by the hypothalamus in response to subtle changes in the body's electrolyte levels, and also as a result of changes in the volume of blood circulating.
Role in disease
Polydipsia is the medical term for consumption of large quantities of water and may be a sign of various diseases (diabetes mellitus, diabetes insipidus, and some psychiatric conditions).
Much of the world's disease is caused by the lack of clean drinking water. Lack of water in the diet will eventually cause death by hypernatremia and dehydration, particularly when sweating consumes much of the body water.
It is also possible to overhydrate, which sometimes happens with athletes who consume too much water, thereby diluting the concentration of salts in the body.
Vessels
Drinking vessels include glasses, cups, bottles, canteens, or even bowls in some cases.
Fewer skills are required for drinking from a baby bottle or a cup with a lid with a nozzle. Therefore these are useful for small children and people with some disabilities. If eating and drinking is not possible, alternatives are enteral nutrition and parenteral nutrition.
Alcohol
"Drinking" is also used as a euphemism for the consumption of alcoholic beverages, with the word thirst being the corresponding euphemism used by alcoholics for craving alcohol-containing liquids.
See also
"Drinking"