Adequate hydration for healthy aging, longer life, study finds

January 27, 2023

A National Institutes of Health (NIH) study published in eBioMedicine emphasized the importance of hydration in adult health. It found that adults who maintain a healthy level of hydration appear to be healthier, suffer from chronic illnesses like heart and lung disease less frequently, and live longer than those who may not consume enough fluids.

Researchers used health data collected from 11,255 adults over a 30-year period in the study to examine relationships between various health indicators and serum sodium levels, which rise when fluid intake is reduced.

In comparison to adults with serum sodium levels at the lower end of the normal range, those with serum sodium levels at the upper end of the normal range were more likely to show signs of advanced biological aging and be chronically ill. Adults with higher levels may also live shorter lives.

According to Natalia Dmitrieva, Ph.D., a study author and researcher at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the findings suggest that proper hydration may slow aging and promote a healthier, longer life.

The researchers said that the study builds on research published by the scientists in March 2022, which discovered links between higher normal serum sodium levels and an increased risk of heart failure. Both findings came from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study, which included substudies involving thousands of Black and white adults from across the country. The first ARIC sub-study began in 1987, and it has assisted researchers in better understanding risk factors for heart disease while also shaping clinical guidelines for its treatment and prevention.

In this most recent analysis, information shared by study participants during five medical visits was evaluated; the first two took place when they were in their 50s, and the final visit took place when they were between the ages of 70 and 90. The adults with high serum sodium levels at baseline check-ins or those with underlying conditions, like obesity, that could affect serum sodium levels were excluded from the study in order to allow for a fair comparison of how hydration correlated with health outcomes.

The relationship between serum sodium levels and biological aging—as determined by 15 health markers—was then examined. Systolic blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar were among the variables that provided information about how each person’s cardiovascular, respiratory, metabolic, renal, and immune systems were functioning. Additionally, they took into account variables like age, race, biological sex, smoking status, and hypertension.

According to the researchers, the findings do not prove a causal effect. To determine whether optimal hydration can promote healthy aging, prevent disease, and lead to a longer life, randomized, controlled trials are required. However, the associations can still inform clinical practice and guide personal health behavior.

Dmitrieva stated that most people can safely increase their fluid intake to meet recommended levels, which can be done with water as well as other fluids such as juices or vegetables and fruits with a high water content. According to the National Academies of Medicine, most women should consume 6-9 cups (1.5-2.2 liters) of fluids per day, while men should consume 8-12 cups (2-3 liters).

Others may require medical advice due to underlying health issues. The authors also cited research indicating that roughly half of people worldwide do not meet daily total water intake recommendations, which typically begin at 6 cups (1.5 liters).

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