Stay hydrated, stay young. NIH study links optimal water intake to lower disease risk and slower aging

The experts aimed to test the hypothesis that "optimal hydration can decelerate human aging". They based their conclusions on data collected from 11,255 adults over a period of 25 years. The information was analyzed to seek correlations between serum sodium levels (which increase when fluid intake decreases) and various health aspects.

The study's participants, who were, on average, aged between 45 and 66 years old, provided health information during five medical visits. Two of these visits occurred after they turned 50, and the last one was when they were between 70 and 90 years old. Adults with high serum sodium levels at the initial medical check-up, and those with existing diseases that could influence their sodium level, such as obesity, were excluded from the study. The scientists then investigated how serum sodium levels correlated with biological aging.

Per the NIH statement, this was assessed using 15 health markers, including systolic blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and blood sugar. This process allowed the experts to investigate the state of the cardiovascular, respiratory, metabolic, renal, and immune systems of each participant. Factors like age, gender, smoking, and the incidence of hypertension were also taken into account.

The research discovered that adults with higher serum sodium levels that are at the high end of the normal range (fasting levels exceeding 142 mmol/l), were more prone to developing chronic illnesses compared to individuals with a mid-range level (the normal level is estimated between 135–145 mmol/l). Moreover, they showed signs of advanced biological aging and were more susceptible to premature death.

The scientists note that the research findings align with the initial hypothesis that decreased hydration can hasten aging. However, they concur that more interventional research is needed to fully demonstrate this dependency. What is evident, though, is that consuming the appropriate amount of water can reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases and premature death and slow down biological aging.