In a study spanning 25 years and comprising 11,255 participants, socioeconomic position and family medical history were asked about five times.
The subjects' sodium levels in their blood serum were measured clinically and utilized as a proxy for their hydration status. In most people, the amount of salt in their blood drops when they increase their water intake.
According to Natalia Dmitrieva, a study scientist at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) in Maryland, "the findings show that sufficient hydration may slow down aging and lengthen a disease-free life."
Past studies have shown that elevated blood sodium levels are associated with an increased chance of developing heart failure. Human blood sodium levels are considered healthy when they are between 125 and 146 mEq/L. Up to 15 distinct indicators of biological health and aging were found to be enhanced in blood samples that had greater salt levels.
Those whose sodium levels were over 142 mEq/L were more likely to be physiologically older than their chronological age compared to those whose sodium levels were within more usual limits. Heart failure, stroke, atrial fibrillation, chronic lung disease, diabetes, and dementia were all related, with a 64 percent higher chance of development.
The authors of the research imply that physicians' recommendations might be improved by monitoring salt levels in patients. Individuals who are at risk of dehydration should take measures to increase their fluid intake by eating more fruits and vegetables and drinking more fruit juice.
Senior scientist Manfred Boehm from the NHLBI explains, "The objective is to ensure patients are taking in adequate fluids, while monitoring variables, including medicines, that may contribute to fluid loss."
A patient's existing treatment regimen, such as restricting fluid intake for heart failure, may also need to be respected by doctors.
The study authors stress that their methodology does not allow them to definitively conclude that the participants' high levels of hydration were the primary factor in increasing their likelihood of being in excellent health. Even while we can already observe a link worth studying further, randomized, controlled studies are better suited to doing so.
Blood salt levels may also be affected by factors other than fluid consumption; however, the researchers accounted for these and other potential confounders by omitting those with illnesses like diabetes or lifestyle choices like smoking.
It's also important to note that this research focuses on the negative consequences of dehydration rather than the favorable outcomes of maintaining an adequate water intake, despite the inevitable connection between the two.
Around half of the world's population now falls short of the dietary guidelines (which typically start at around 1.5 liters a day). The availability of safe drinking water is a major factor in this. Priority number one in maintaining public health should be ensuring ready access to clean water in all areas.
An increase in that proportion might have a major impact on the risk of sickness and death for those who are relatively well-off.
Dmitrieva believes this has "global level" implications. Being hydrated may slow down the aging process and prevent or postpone chronic illness because "decreased body water content is the most prevalent reason that raises serum sodium."
