Adults who stay well-hydrated appear to be healthier, develop fewer chronic conditions, such as heart and lung disease, and live longer compared to those who may not get sufficient fluids, according to a National Institutes of Health study published in eBioMedicine.
The research is based on longitudinal assessments, spanning about 25-30 years, from more than 11,000 adults who participated in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study. Researchers found that adults with higher levels of normal serum sodium ranges – which increase as fluid levels go down – were more likely to show signs of advanced biological aging. They also had a greater chance of dying prematurely.
“Decreased body water content is the most common factor that increases serum sodium, which is why the results suggest that staying well hydrated may slow down the aging process and prevent or delay chronic disease,” said Natalia Dmitrieva, Ph.D., a study author and researcher in the Laboratory of Cardiovascular Regenerative Medicine at NHLBI.
The study follows previous research published in 2022 linking optimal fluid levels with reduced risks for heart failure.