Drinking water

drinking water

Drinking water means consuming clean, safe water for hydration, cooking, and basic daily needs. It is the simplest and often healthiest way to replace the fluids your body loses every day. Water is calorie-free, quickly absorbed, and helps with digestion, circulation, temperature control, and waste removal. The amount each person needs varies by age, body size, activity level, climate, and health conditions, but listening to thirst and watching urine color are helpful guides. Not all water is the same: safe drinking water comes from treated public supplies, filtered sources, or properly prepared wells and bottles. Contaminants like bacteria, heavy metals, and chemicals can make water unsafe, so testing and treatment are important when the source is uncertain. In places with safe public water, plain tap water is usually a low-cost, environmentally friendly choice compared with many packaged drinks. Carrying a refillable bottle, drinking before, during, and after exercise, and choosing water over sugary beverages are simple ways to stay hydrated. Proper storage and handling—keeping containers clean and avoiding long exposure to heat—help keep water safe to drink.