Everybody needs water to live. The human body is made up of about 60% water, and it’s essential for many functions, including circulation, digestion and absorption of nutrients, regulation of body temperature, and removal of waste products.
The average person needs between 2.4 and 3 liters (2-3 quarts) of fluid every day to stay hydrated. This includes water from all sources, as well as other beverages like milk or juice. Some people need more than others depending on their lifestyle, health status, and activity level.
A person can only survive a few days without water before they start to experience serious problems. Dehydration happens quickly, causing extreme thirst, fatigue, and organ failure within days.
What happens if you don’t drink enough water?
A person may feel thirsty and sluggish on the first day but will have severe dehydration by the third day when they are at risk for organ failures such as kidney failure or even death if medical treatment is not available soon enough.