A study about inadequate hydration in middle age adults was reported in the journal, eBioMedicine on January 2, 2023. The study involved 11,000 adults, ages 45-66 who were followed for 25 years.
Researchers wondered if inadequate hydration would cause early aging and an increased number of chronic diseases in middle aged adult humans. This was based on findings from studies on mice who were chronically dehydrated and ended up having a shortened lifespan and more degenerative diseases.
Evidence of dehydration was based on blood levels of sodium, which is elevated when someone is inadequately hydrated. They considered dehydration to be present when the sodium went above 141 mmol/L.
The study showed that adults who had a sodium of 142 or higher (dehydrated) had a 39% increased risk of chronic disease and up to a 50% increase in early aging (physically “older” than their chronological age).
If the sodium was even higher (worse dehydration) with levels at 144 or higher, those people had a 21% increased risk of premature death. Also, people with premature aging associated with dehydration had increased chronic diseases and premature death.
Although more studies need to be done, these results give more reasons to keep well hydrated. Current recommendations from The National Academy of Medicine is for men to take in 13 cups of fluids and women to take in 9 cups per day.
The recommendations above are for the average adult. You likely need more if you exercise regularly, work in a hot environment, or otherwise lose more fluid each day. Bottom line: stay hydrated!
Peter M. Hartmann, MD
Family Medicine & Psychiatry
