Drinking 66254 224555463 2008-07-09T11:39:14Z TomNor 868430 Removed a line. While "beber" indeed means drink in spanish, it was out of place there. {{Cleanup|date=March 2007}} [[Image:Canada goose reflection 03.jpg|thumb|A [[Canada goose]] drinking]] [[Image:Lion drinking.jpg|thumb|right|A [[lion]] drinking]] '''Drinking''' is the act of consuming a liquid through the mouth. [[Water]], for example, is required for many of life's physiological processes, and excess or decreased water intake is associated with health problems. ==Physiology== A daily intake of 3-6 liters of water is required for the normal physiological functioning of the human body, depending on ambient weather conditions and diet (especially salt and sugar 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 to drink 1-2 liters of water a day for survival, 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 diet will eventually cause death by [[hypernatremia]] and [[dehydration]], particularly when [[sweating]] consumes much of the body water. It is also possible to [[Water intoxication|overhydrate]], which sometimes happens with athletes who consume too much water, thereby diluting the concentration of salts in the body. ==Vessels== [[Image:Glass-of-water.jpg|thumb|100px|A glass containing water]] Drinking vessels may include [[glass]]es, [[Drinkware|cups]], [[bottle]]s, canteens, and [[Bowl (vessel)|bowls]]. [[Image:Infant_with_baby_bottle.jpg|thumb|left|150px|An [[infant]] being fed by bottle]] Fewer skills are required for drinking from a [[baby bottle]] or a cup that has a lid with a nozzle. Therefore, these are useful for small children and people with some [[disabilities]]. If neither [[eating]] nor drinking are possible, some alternatives are [[Route of administration#Enteral|enteral]] [[nutrition]] and [[parenteral nutrition]]. ==Alcohol==<!-- This section is linked from [[Spencer Tracy]] --> [[Image:Joseph-Jefferson-Dis-Von.jpeg|thumb|The young [[Rip Van Winkle]] has another drink.]] "Drinking" is also used as a [[synonym]] for the consumption of [[alcoholic beverage]]s. Additionally, having "thirst" or being "thirsty" can [[Metonymy|metonymically]] express a desire for alcohol. ==See also== *[[Drink]] **[[Alcoholic beverage]] *[[Swallowing]] [[Category:Drinking culture]] [[cs:Pití]] [[he:שתייה]] [[nl:Drinken]] [[id:Minum]] [[ja:飲む]] [[ko:마시기]] [[no:Drikking]] [[nrm:Baithe]] [[ru:Питьё]] [[zh:飲水]] [[zh-yue:飲嘢]]