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It seems today everyone carries a water bottle with them wherever they go. When did the trend begin, and is it really necessary? We know we need to stay hydrated, of course, especially if we live in a hot climate. There are benefits to our digestion, our health, and our skin, to name a few. And new research shows proper hydration could extend our lifespan. How does that work, and how much do you need to drink?
The link between dehydration & mortality
Research published in the journal eBioMedicine reveals drinking enough water is associated with a significantly lower risk of developing chronic diseases and a lower risk of premature death. What's more, a lack of proper hydration is now linked to an older biological age, the study notes.
And this wasn't just a small study: Over 25 years, around 15,000 people ages 45 to 65 participated in regular clinical exams to measure their serum sodium levels (which can reflect internal hydration). When serum sodium levels are higher, that demonstrates less water intake.
According to the study, "People whose middle-age serum sodium exceeds 142 mmol/l have increased risk to be biologically older, develop chronic diseases, and die at younger age." In fact, those participants with a higher biological age had a 64% higher risk of developing chronic diseases such as heart failure, stroke, atrial fibrillation, peripheral artery disease, chronic lung disease, diabetes, and dementia.
While the study did not include exactly how much water the participants drank, the thesis is clear: The more hydrated you are, the more likely you are to live a longer, healthier life overall.
How to actually get enough hydration
In terms of how much water you need, well, it's impossible to give everyone the exact same rule of thumb. But in general, experts recommend drinking half your weight in ounces. So, for example, someone who weighs 150 pounds would want to drink around 75 ounces of water, which is about 9 cups.
For 10 more reasons hydration is important, read the full article here.
Living longer and living better is the goal of many. Who among us doesn’t want the best possible quality of life? If drinking more water is one way you can achieve this, it seems like a no brainer. If you have concerns or questions about how much you should be drinking, ask your doctor at your next visit.
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