Good hydration is associated with healthy aging

A study by the National Institutes of Health published in eBioMedicine showed that adults who stay well hydrated appear to be healthier, less likely to develop chronic diseases like heart and lung disease, and live longer
than those who are not hydrated.
Using health data collected over 30 years from 11,255 adults, the researchers analyzed the link
between serum sodium levels (which rises when fluid intake decreases) and various health indicators.
They found that adults with high serum sodium levels at the high end of the normal range were more likely to develop chronic disease and show signs of
biological aging than adults with intermediate serum sodium levels.
Are adults with high levels also more likely to die at a young age?

"The findings suggest that proper hydration can delay aging and prolong disease-free life," said Dr.
Natalia Dmitrieva, author of the study and a researcher at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's (NHLBI) Laboratory of Cardiovascular Regenerative Medicine, affiliated with the NIH
.

The study expands on a study published by scientists in March 2022 that found a link between a
higher range of normal serum sodium levels and an increased risk of heart failure.
Both findings came from the Community Atherosclerosis Risk (ARIC) study, which included sub-studies
involving thousands of black and white adults across the United States.
The first ARIC sub-study began in 1987 to help researchers better understand risk factors for heart disease while forming clinical guidelines for treatment and prevention.

In this latest analysis, researchers evaluated information shared by study participants at five medical visits — the first two when they were in their 50s and the last between their
70-90s.
To fairly compare the relationship between hydration and health outcomes, the researchers excluded adults who had high serum sodium levels at baseline or had the potential to affect serum sodium levels, such as obesity
.
They then assessed the correlation between serum sodium levels and biological aging, which was assessed through 15 health indicators
.
This includes factors such as systolic blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar, which can provide insight into the functioning of each person's cardiovascular, respiratory, metabolic, kidney, and immune systems
.
They were also adjusted
for factors such as age, race, biological sex, smoking status, and high blood pressure.

They found that adults with higher normal serum sodium levels — the normal range is 135-146 milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L)—were more likely to show faster signs of
biological aging.
This is based on indicators
such as metabolic and cardiovascular health, lung function, and inflammation.
For example, compared with people between 137 and 142 mEq/L, adults with serum sodium levels above 142 mEq/L were biologically 10-15% more likely to age than chronological age, while populations above 144 mEq/L were biologically 50% more likely to age than their chronological age
.
Similarly, levels of 144.
5-146 mEq/L have a 21%
increased risk of early death compared to levels of 137-142 mEq/L.
Similarly, adults with serum sodium levels above 142 mEq/L have a maximum 64%
increased risk of chronic diseases such as heart failure, stroke, atrial fibrillation, and peripheral artery disease, as well as chronic lung disease, diabetes, and dementia.
Conversely, adults with serum sodium levels between 138 and 140 mEq/L have the lowest
risk of chronic disease.
The researchers note that these findings do not prove causation
.
Randomized controlled trials are necessary to determine whether optimal hydration promotes healthy aging, prevents disease, and leads to a longer lifespan
.
However, these associations can still inform clinical practice and guide individual health behaviors?

"People with serum sodium levels of 142 mEq/L or higher can benefit
from assessing their fluid intake.
" She noted that most people can safely increase their fluid intake to the recommended levels, which can be achieved through water, as well as other liquids, such as juice, or vegetables and fruits
with high water content.
For example, the National Academy of Medicine recommends that most women drink about 6–9 cups (1.
5–2.
2 liters) of fluids a day, compared to 8–12 cups (2–3 liters)
for men.

Others may require medical guidance
due to underlying health conditions.
Study author Dr Manfred Bohm, director of the Cardiovascular Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, said: "Our goal is to ensure that patients are getting enough fluids while assessing factors that may contribute to fluid loss, such as medications
.
" "Doctors may also need to follow the patient's current treatment plan, such as limiting fluid intake
in patients with heart failure.
?? The authors also cite a study that found that about half of people globally do not meet the recommendation for total daily water intake, usually starting
with 6 cups (1.
5 liters).

"On a global level, this can have a significant impact
.
" Decreased water levels in the body are the most common contributor to increased serum sodium levels, which is why the findings suggest that staying adequately hydrated can slow down the aging process and prevent or delay chronic disease
.
”??? This research was supported
by NHLBI's Department of On-Campus Research.
The ARIC study was supported
by research contracts from NHLBI, NIH, and the Department of Health and Human Services.