Adequate water intake is important for daily bodily functions, such as regulating temperature and maintaining healthy skin and complexion.
But drinking enough water is also associated with a lower risk of chronic disease, a lower risk of dying early or a lower risk of being biologically older than your chronological age, according to a study conducted by the US National Institutes of Health and published by CNN, citing the journal eBioMedicine.
Drink water (iStock)
In this regard, Natalia Dmitrieva, a study researcher from the Laboratory of Cardiovascular Regenerative Medicine at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, a division of the US National Institutes of Health, said: “The results indicate that hydration (consuming an appropriate amount of water) can slow aging and prolong aging.” Disease free life.
Finding out which preventive measures can slow the aging process is a “major challenge for preventive medicine,” the researchers said in the study, as extending a healthy lifespan could help improve quality of life and reduce health care costs more than just treating diseases.
According to the new study, the lifetime restriction of water intake increased serum sodium in rats by 5 mmol per liter and shortened their lifespan by six months, which is equivalent to about 15 years of human life. Serum sodium can be measured in the blood and increases when not enough fluids are drunk.
Using health data collected over 30 years from a study of atherosclerosis risk in communities, the research team discovered that adults with serum sodium levels at the higher end of the normal range — which is 135 to 146 milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L) — It had worse health outcomes than those at the lower end of the range. Data collection began in 1987 when participants were in their 40s or 50s, and the average age of participants in the final assessment during the study period was 76 years.
biologically older
And adults with levels above 142 mEq/L had a 10% to 15% greater chance of being biologically older than their chronological age compared to participants in the range 137 to 142 mEq/L. Participants with a higher risk of aging faster also had a 64% higher risk of developing chronic diseases such as heart failure, stroke, atrial fibrillation, peripheral arterial disease, chronic lung disease, diabetes and dementia.
And people with levels above 144 μmol/L had a 50% higher risk of being biologically older and a 21% higher risk of dying early. On the other hand, adults with serum sodium levels between 138 and 140 μmol/L are less likely to develop chronic diseases.
vital signs
Biological age was determined by biomarkers, which measure the functioning of various organ systems and processes, including cardiovascular, renal, respiratory, metabolic, immune and inflammatory biomarkers.
Higher levels of sodium in the blood weren’t the only factor associated with disease, premature death, and the risk of faster aging — the risk was also higher among people with lower levels of sodium in the blood.
The researchers said this finding is consistent with previous reports of increased mortality and cardiovascular disease in people with low normal sodium levels, which has been attributed to diseases that cause electrolyte problems.
Expressive heart disease
Drink fluids daily
About half of people worldwide don’t meet recommendations for total daily water intake, according to several studies cited by the researchers of the new study.
“On a global level, this could be a problem,” Dmitrieva said in a press release [النتائج] Significant impact, as low water content in the body is the most common factor that leads to excess sodium in the blood, which is why the findings suggest that staying well hydrated can slow the aging process and prevent or delay chronic disease.”
Sodium levels in the blood are affected by fluid intake of water and other liquids and fruits and vegetables with a high water content.
Recommended quantity
The US National Academy of Medicine recommends women consume 2.7 liters of fluids per day, and men 3.7 liters per day.
This recommendation also includes all liquids and water-rich foods such as fruits, vegetables and soups. Since the average water intake from liquids to foods is about 80:20, this equates to a daily intake of 9 cups for women and 12 cups for men. Noting the need for people with health conditions to review their doctor about the right amount of fluids for them.