New research published in the journal eBioMedicine has shown that adults with good hydration habits appear to be biologically younger, have less risk of chronic disease, and live longer than peers who do not stay sufficiently hydrated.
The study analyzed data from over 11,000 middle-aged participants in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study and followed up over a 30-year period. The study authors used serum sodium as a measure of participants’ hydration habits and examined the links between serum sodium and various health outcomes.
The researchers found that individuals who had higher serum sodium levels (indicating poorer hydration habits) had a higher chance of developing several chronic health conditions and showed more advanced biological age; in other words, they were showing signs of aging faster than their peers. Participants with high serum sodium levels had an increased risk of several heart-related chronic diseases, including heart failure, stroke, atrial fibrillation, and artery disease. Additionally, these individuals tended to die at a younger age than their peers who had serum sodium levels that were in the middle of the normal range.
The authors of the study noted that good hydration may slow the effects of aging and help people live longer free of disability and disease. Previous research conducted by the same group showed that higher serum sodium is linked to a greater risk of heart failure, and these results expand on the potential negative effects of improper hydration. While the findings do not prove causality, it is likely that most people would benefit from evaluating and potentially changing their hydration habits. About half of the global population does not meet the recommended daily intake of fluids (at least 1.5 liters per day), so boosting hydration could have a big effect on the incidence of chronic disease and premature aging worldwide.
Sources: eBioMedicine, Science Daily