Adults who stay well-hydrated appear to be healthier, develop fewer chronic conditions such as heart and lung disease, and live longer than those who may not get sufficient fluids, according to a National Institutes of Health study published in eBioMedicine.
Researchers analyzed health data gathered from 11.255 adults over 30 years.
The results suggest that proper hydration may slow down aging and prolong a disease-free life. The study adds new information to research published in March 2022, which founds links between higher range of normal serum sodium levels and increased risks for heart failure.
They evaluated how serum sodium levels correlate with biological aging which was followed-up through 15 health markers.
They found that adults with higher levels of normal serum sodium were more likely to show signs of faster biological aging. They also had up to a 64% increased associated risk for developing chronic diseases like heart failure, stroke, atrial fibrillation and peripheral artery disease, as well as chronic lung disease, diabetes, and dementia.
Decreased body water content is the most common factor that increases serum sodium, which is why the results suggest that staying well-hydrated may slow down the aging process and prevent or delay chronic disease.
According to a previous study, around half of people worldwide do not meet the recommendations for total daily water intake.
Source: NIH/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute
NIH/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. “Good hydration linked to healthy aging” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 2023. január 2. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/01/230102100941.htm>