In French, it’s “l’eau.” In Spanish, it’s “agua.” Scientists call it H20. But we usually just call it water.

It’s one of the human body’s most essential needs.

The human body is 60 percent water.

A human being can survive for weeks without food, but just a few days without water.

According to WebMD. com, water is vital to our survival. It helps remove waste through urine, maintain a healthy metabolism, and control body temperature, heart rate and blood pressure.

But a survey of more than 100 North Carolina university students, only about 75 percent of African Americans drink water daily, while almost 100 percent of whites do.

N.C. Central University students confirm the findings.

“We use it to wash our cars, but not to drink,” said an NCCU marketing junior.

“We want the body of our cars and rims to look shiny and perfect, but when it comes to our bodies …”

Jackie Wagstaff, hospitality and tourism junior, said, “We drink everything but water.

“I guess that’s how we grew up. Growing up, we drank Kool-Aid,” Wagstaff said.

The topic of drinking water is even rapped about in BET’s “Read a Book” animated video by Bomani Armah.

The song seeks to increase awareness in the young hip-hop community on multiple topics.

“Your body needs water, so drink that stuff,” Armah repeats multiple times in the song.

The Institute of Medicine recommends that women consume a minimum of two liters of fluids a day and that men consume at least three liters a day.

A liter is equal to approximately 1.056 liquid quarts.

Exercise and excessive sweating increase fluid loss from the body.

According to MedicineNet.com, signs of too few fluids include increased thirst, dry mouth, weakness or lightheadedness, dark odorous urine, decreased urination and/or lower back pain.

Many foods contain water. Fruits and vegetables, like lettuce, watermelon, cucumbers, and oranges, have high water content.

Surprisingly, some meats contain about 60 percent water.

Coffee and soda also count in the attempt to meet daily fluid requirements, according to WebMD.com.

Other findings of the survey include: • 75 percent of white students are coffee drinkers, while only 25 percent of black students are coffee drinkers.

• Black students drink alcohol at lower rates than whites.

• About 25 percent fewer black students than whites say they exercise weekly basis.

• More black students than white students say their parents encouraged them to drink water every day.

Some NCCU students learned the message from their parents that water is vital to their health.

“I drink water everyday,” said social work sophomore Sheree Knight.

“I guess it’s just a habit. “It flushes your body out — besides it’s good for you.”