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The human body is made up of many things, with 70% of it being water. This is also the percentage of the earth's surface that is covered in water in fresh, salt or brackish form.
Judging from these statistics you can see what a big influence it is on our plant, our bodies and in our daily lives.
Potable or 'drinking' water is fit for human consumption and is the most vital part of your daily intake. The human body can survive for several days without food, but only three days on average without water, regardless of whether solid food was eaten or not.
In order for the body to function properly, you should consume between one and seven liters per day (with 2.7-3.7 liters being a good amount for the average adult).
The more you do things such as exercise or sweat in hot conditions, the more you should drink. Proper consumption leads to good hydration, which in turn leads to a healthier body. Smooth, shiny skin, hair, nails and complexion along with good weight loss or maintenance are just some of the advantages of proper hydration.
Of course, consuming too much can lead to a fatal condition called H20 intoxication. Basically, consuming too much can 'drown' the cells in your body, causing them to either function improperly or to stop function entirely. This is a very rare condition though and consuming too little is more of a threat than too much.
You must ensure that what you do drink is pure or at least properly treated. This means filtered to have as few impurities as possible. For most of the US, your tap is good enough, though those who drink from a river or other source may need to purify, often by boiling or chemical treatment.
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