Water is essential for human life. It accounts for for 50-70% of our body weight and is crucial for most bodily functions. Any deficit in normal body water – through dehydration, sickness, exercise or heat stress – can make us feel rotten. First we feel thirsty and fatigued, and may develop a mild headache. This eventually gives way to grumpiness, and mental and physical decline.

The question How much water do I need to drink? is often followed with the related question Can I drink too much of it? We're here to tell you that, while difficult to do accidentally, it is in fact possible to drink too much water -- and the repercussions can be deadly.

OK look, this is news to me, and even though I got roasted by my editors for only just learning this, I bet it's news to some of you too: You can leave a glass of water out for months, and so long as it was properly cleaned, it's not going to make you sick.

For a molecule so essential to human life, the existence of "distilled water" when tap water is just fine is a bit befuddling, especially if you're not exactly sure what to do with the stuff. Turns out, it's good for more than confusing you at the supermakret, or steaming your clothing. And, in true turns out fashion, some of those use cases are more superstition than certainty.

Baking beautiful bread requires the skillful manipulation of three big, messy variables: technique, equipment, and ingredients. Poor technique accounts for most subpar results, but a sudden change in kitchen conditions or ingredient availability can throw even a seasoned baker for a loop. If your bread has started acting up for seemingly no reason, your water might just be the culprit.

To help your baby become comfortable going underwater in the pool, here's a simple trick: Blow in their face before dunking them. They will instinctively gulp air and hold their breath, making it a perfect opportunity for you to pretend the kid is the next Ian Thorpe for a quick second.

I love a raw carrot. Crunchy and sweet, you can dip it in hummus or ranch dressing. Raw apples have a similar charm, and raw red onions give salads a happy kick. I'm also a fan of raw honey's gritty sugar crystals. You know what all these things have in common? They are perfectly healthy to eat raw. Unlike the latest supposed trend, raw water.

No matter where you are in Australia, you're subject to some extreme heat for the next three months (not you, Tasmania). You need to stay hydrated.

Video: If you've dropped something in the pool and can't spot it from above the water, this super simple trick can help.

Simply floating in water might look easy, but it's actually pretty difficult if you don't have a flotation device, and treading water is an essential safety skill for anyone who plans on spending time on or near the water, well, ever. Here's the best way to do it for as long as possible in an emergency situation.

Leave your book out in the rain? Drop it in the tub? Don't worry, you can fix it if you act fast.

Why is the sea salty? The short answer is that water dissolves the salts contained in rocks, and these salts are carried in the water to the sea. We take a look at the science.

Most of us should be drinking more water. In addition to keeping us hydrated and alive, there are a bunch of secondary benefits that H2O consumption can bring to your life. This infographic breaks down seven reasons you need to up your intake: from healthier looking skin to boosting your energy levels.

Ever wondered how long a baby's nappy takes to fully decompose in the ocean? According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA), the answer is an astonishing 450 years. Check out the following infographic for more estimated decomposition rates of common items of marine debris. (We bet you can't guess what man-made item survives the longest...)

An Australian teen was recently hospitalised after a mysterious swarm of creatures seemed to bite his legs and cause serious bleeding. While the incident has produced some shock and awe, there's no reason to get too worked up about it.

A tap bought from Aldi by 12,000 Aussie households can contaminate water with up to fifteen times the safe limit for lead, according to reports. The ACCC has warned of the supermarket chain's "Spiral Spring Mixer Tap", urging customers to avoid avoid drinking or cooking with water from it.

Nutrition is a battlefield where everyone seems to have an opinion. Some of those opinions are science-based, and others are veiled quackery with little evidence to back them up. It can be frustrating if you're simply trying to stay healthy. Do you spend $4 on the expensive water bottle or just drink it from the tap? Is the science behind a product's claims valid?

Flood waters may not look all that threatening on TV, especially if you're a skilled swimmer. But flash floods are actually incredibly dangerous, and they can strike with little to no warning. This is what you should do if you or your vehicle gets swept away by the raging waters.

Your mum wasn't completely wrong about the need to stay hydrated in hot weather. However, she and many others have been needlessly worrying about the wrong things. Here are four hydration myths you can safely discard.