Adequate water intake is important for daily bodily functions, such as regulating temperature and maintaining a healthy skin and complexion.
But drinking enough water is also associated with a lower risk of chronic disease, a lower risk of early death or a lower risk of being biologically older than one’s chronological age, according to a study conducted by the US National Institutes of Health and published by the US. CNN, citing eBioMedicine journal.
Drink Water (iStock)
In this regard, Natalia Dmitrieva, a researcher in the Cardiovascular Regenerative Medicine Laboratory at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, a division of the US National Institutes of Health, said: “The results indicate that hydration (consuming a adequate amount of water) can slow down aging and prolong it”. Life without disease.
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 simple disease treatment.
Lifetime restriction of water intake increased rats’ serum sodium by 5 mmol per liter and shortened their lifespan by six months, which is equivalent to about 15 years of human life, according to the new study. Serum sodium can be measured in the blood and rises when you don’t drink enough fluids.
Using health data gathered over 30 years from a study of atherosclerosis risk in communities, the research team found that adults with serum sodium levels at the higher end of the normal range – which is between 135 and 146 milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L) – 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 mean age of final-assessed participants during the study period was 76 years.
biologically older
And adults with levels above 142 mEq/L were 10% to 15% more likely to be biologically older than their chronological age than participants in the range of 137 to 142 mEq/L. Participants with a higher risk of aging faster also had a 64 percent 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 prematurely. On the other hand, adults with serum sodium levels between 138 and 140 μmol/L are less likely to develop chronic disease.
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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 blood sodium levels weren’t the only factor associated with disease, premature death and the risk of aging more rapidly: The risk was also higher among people with lower blood sodium levels.
The researchers said this finding is consistent with previous reports of increased mortality and cardiovascular disease in people with low normal levels of sodium, which has been attributed to diseases causing electrolyte problems.
Expressive heart disease
Drink liquids every day
About half of people worldwide don’t meet recommendations for total daily water intake, according to several studies cited by researchers in the new study.
“Globally, this could be a problem,” Dmitrieva said in a news release [النتائج] Significant impact, as low water content in the body is the most common factor leading to excess sodium in the blood, which is why the findings suggest that staying well hydrated may slow the aging process and prevent or delay chronic disease.
Blood sodium levels are affected by the intake of water and other liquids and fruits and vegetables with a high water content.
Recommended quantity
The US National Academy of Medicine recommends that women consume 2.7 liters of fluid 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 food is approximately 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 with their doctor about the right amount of fluids for them.
