Study: Staying hydrated could promote healthy aging
Published on: Saturday, January 07, 2023
By:
ETX Studio, Malay Mail
Text Size:
Sufficient hydration could slow aging and extend disease-free life, study finds. ― Unsplash pic
Water is a source of life and of good health. But the quantity to be consumed daily is a subject of great debate. In the summer of 2022, the “30-day water gallon challenge” recommended drinking 4.5 litres of water per day in the aim of getting glowing skin and ending digestive problems. But drinking too much water could lead to hyponatremia, a biological abnormality characterized by a decrease in the concentration of sodium in the blood.
Still, not being hydrated enough appears to have harmful effects on health in the long term. According to an American study conducted by the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) in Maryland, and published in the journal eBioMedicine, an adult who is sufficiently hydrated is less likely to develop chronic heart and lung disease than one who does not drink enough.
Over a 30-year period, the specialists measured the health status of 15,000 patients between the ages of 45 and 66. Specifically, they focused on serum sodium levels and health indicators. The specialists measured 15 health markers such as blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar. This allowed them to measure cardiovascular, respiratory, metabolic, renal and immune system function.
Sodium is essential in maintaining the body's water balance. It helps regulate cell hydration and blood pressure. A high serum sodium level means that a person is not sufficiently hydrated. Adults with high serum sodium levels, greater than 142 mEq/L, had a 64 per cent increased risk of developing chronic diseases (like heart failure, diabetes, dementia or lung disease) and a 21 per cent increased risk of premature death.
To reach the hydration level recommended by specialists, which is at least 1.5 litres of water per day, it is recommended that women drink 6 to 9 cups of liquid, whether water, hot drinks or juices. Depending on the size of the cup, this represents between 1.5 and 2.2 litres per day. For men, experts recommend 8 to 12 cups per day, or 2 to 3 litres.
