drinking]] (mute swan) 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. "Drinking" may also refer specifically to the ingestion of alcohol, depending on the context in which the term is used. 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 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 "thir