Seniors who stay well hydrated appear to live longer and develop fewer chronic health conditions, a study suggests today.
US researchers have found that drinking more water “may slow down ageing” and encouraged people to drink the recommended eight glasses a day.
The study of more than 11,000 over 30s tracked blood sodium levels, which rise when you drink less fluid.
They found that adults with higher levels were 64 percent more likely to experience chronic diseases such as heart failure and stroke than those in the middle range.
Adults with higher levels were also more likely to die younger, they said.
Seniors who stay well hydrated appear to live longer and develop fewer chronic diseases, a study suggests today
Researchers suggest that water restriction leads to DNA damage and inflammation, accelerating the aging process.
Lead author Dr. Natalia Dmitrieva, a researcher at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), said: “The results show that proper hydration can slow aging and prolong disease-free life.”
She said most people can safely increase their fluid intake to reach 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.
The study does not specify exactly how much water is needed to slow the effects of aging.
But NHS Eatwell guidance recommends adults drink between six and eight glasses of fluid a day. Water, low-fat milk and sugar-free drinks, including tea and coffee, count.
Dehydration causes a variety of short-term problems, including dizziness, fatigue, and headaches.
Drinking less fluid long-term can also increase your risk of other problems, including constipation, kidney stones and bad skin.
In the most serious cases, electrolytes out of balance — such as potassium or sodium — caused by dehydration can cause seizures and muscle spasms.
And the sharp drop in blood pressure caused by reduced blood volume can send the body into shock from a drop in oxygen supply.
But drinking too much water can also be dangerous, causing cells to swell in a condition known as hyponatremia. Kung fu legend Bruce Lee is believed to have died from it.
The latest peer-reviewed findings were published in the journal eBioMedicine.
In March, scientists published a study that found links between higher limits of normal serum sodium levels and an increased risk of heart failure.
For the new study, researchers assessed the information participants shared during five medical visits — the first two when they were in their 50s and the last when they were between the ages of 70 and 90.
They excluded adults who had high serum sodium levels at baseline or with comorbidities, such as obesity, that could affect serum sodium levels.
The team then assessed how serum sodium levels correlated with biological aging, which was assessed using 15 health markers.
These include blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar, which indicate how well each person’s cardiovascular, respiratory, metabolic, renal and immune systems are functioning.
They also adjusted for factors such as age, race, biological sex, smoking status, and hypertension.
The results showed that adults with higher levels of normal serum sodium — with normal ranges between 135-146 milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L) — were more likely to show signs of faster biological aging.
This is based on indicators such as metabolic and cardiovascular health, lung function and inflammation, they said.
Adults with serum sodium levels above 142 mEq/L had up to a 64% increased associated risk of developing chronic diseases such as heart failure, stroke, atrial fibrillation and peripheral artery disease, as well as chronic lung disease, diabetes and dementia. they added.
But adults with serum sodium levels between 138-140 mEq/L had the lowest risk of developing chronic disease, they said.
The researchers said the findings did not prove cause and effect because they were purely observational.
The results of previous studies have shown that lower than normal hydration levels can cause a number of factors known to accelerate aging.
Writing in the study, they say: “Elevated sodium in cell culture models, as well as water restriction in a mouse model, induced the same changes that have been identified as major factors in accelerated aging and are now considered targets for anti-aging interventions .
“These processes include proinflammatory and procoagulation changes in vascular endothelial cells, DNA damage, protein oxidation, increased energy expenditure due to metabolic remodeling toward metabolic water production, and cell staging.”
They said randomized, controlled trials are needed to see if ideal hydration can promote healthy aging, prevent disease and lead to longer life.
They added that their hypothesis was inspired by previous studies in mice in which lifelong water restriction – raising serum sodium levels by 5 mmol/l – shortened a mouse’s lifespan by six months, equivalent to roughly 15 years human life.
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WHY YOU SHOULD DRINK WATER
Odell Beckham Jr., a wide receiver for the New York Giants, said he doesn’t like water.
Water makes up about 60 percent of the human body, including 90 percent of our blood.
Therefore, it is essential that almost every bodily function works efficiently and smoothly.
There is no consensus on how much water you should drink per day, but it is generally accepted that eight glasses of water per day is reasonable.
SEVERAL REASONS WATER IS IMPORTANT
1. For clear eyes and full hearts
Water lubricates the eyes to keep them moist and aids vision. It also pumps oxygen through the body, which is key to heart health.
2. To stay flexible
Cartilage is 80 percent water. Those who replace water with soda have a higher risk of joint pain and injury.
3. For clarity of thought
The brain is used to a certain amount of water and when it is dehydrated, we get dizzy, slow thoughts, with slower reactions.
4. To digest food
Water is like gasoline for our intestines. Without it, stool does not break down properly, the stomach can fill with acid, increasing the risks of stomach ulcers, colon cancer, heartburn, constipation and metabolic disorders.
5. Maintaining blood pressure below normal
When blood lacks water, it thickens, raising blood pressure.
WHAT IF YOU ONLY DRINK Fizzy Soda?
1. Caries
Water is essential for flushing bacteria from your mouth. Baking soda does a great job of loading the teeth with plaque.
2. Dehydration
Most sodas contain caffeine, which is a diuretic and dehydrating.
Because it is a diuretic, it means you need to go to the toilet more than if you were drinking water, which also increases dehydration.
3. Worse sports achievements
A recent study showed that dehydration and fluid loss impair performance in any physical activity lasting more than 30 minutes.
4. Weight gain
Even low-calorie sodas are no match for water when it comes to calories. Two Cokes, for example, will add 300 calories to your daily total. Even zero-calorie Diet Coke affects your weight because the replacement sweetener, aspartame, has been shown to disrupt metabolism.
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