Can hydration slow down aging and reduce the risk of early death?

From bottom to top – the fountain of youth overflows with water.

Well, that may be an exaggeration, but new research shows that dehydration can help us live healthier, longer lives.

“I can’t overstate the benefits of staying hydrated, especially with water,” says Brad Biskup, PA, Lifestyle Medicine Program Fellow at the Hartford HealthCare Heart & Vascular Institute. “It sounds like a small thing, but keeping hydrated throughout the day helps all parts of the body.”

This conclusion was reached by researchers from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), who measured signs of dehydration in middle-aged people, and then tracked the frequency of chronic diseases and early death. Those who did not maintain recommended levels of hydration were associated with poorer health and a higher risk of early death.

> Join the Heart and Vascular Institute’s Lifestyle Medicine Program

science research

In particular, the NIH researchers monitored serum sodium levels in the blood. Levels of the substance rise when a person does not drink enough fluids, especially water. The facts they offer include:

  • People with high levels were 50% more likely to feel older than their chronological age.
  • Water-restricted mice live six months less than hydrated mice, which equates to a 15-year reduction in human lifespan.
  • 50% of the population is under-hydrated.

Puffing together

With this news in mind, you may be wondering how much you should tip your water bottle each day. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the amount needed depends on age.

The recommendations suggest that people aged 20 to 39 drink 51 ounces a day, while people aged 40 to 59 can stop at 43 ounces a day. However, it’s important to listen to your body and drink water when you feel thirsty, Biscap says, adding that the extra flow has an immediate effect on the body.

“The higher the water intake, the better the kidneys will work,” he explains, adding that the water helps cleanse the kidneys of any buildup of toxins.

High water intake, especially right before meals, reduces the overall glycemic load, or the effect of sugar on the blood, which is very important for diabetics. It also helps reduce calorie intake, which helps in losing/maintaining a healthy weight.

> Want more health news? Text StartHere to 85209 to subscribe to text alerts.

water water everywhere

Coffee, tea, and sports drinks with electrolytes can contribute to your hydration goal, but the focus is on water, he continues. Caffeinated drinks, however, actually reduce the body’s absorption of calories and should be limited, Biscap says.

Other sources of hydration can be:

  • Vegetables, many of which (cucumbers, lettuce) have a water content of over 90%
  • Healthy fruits such as watermelon, strawberries and citrus fruits.
  • Soy milk, skim milk

“As we age, our sense of thirst decreases, so more active vigilance is required to keep our bodies hydrated,” Biskup says.


Content Source

California Press News – Latest News:
Los Angeles Local News || Bay Area Local News || California News || Lifestyle News || National news || Travel News || Health News

Related Articles

Back to top button