Adults who stay well-hydrated seem like healthier, develop fewer chronic conditions, corresponding to heart and lung disease, and live longer than those that may not get sufficient fluids, in accordance with a National Institutes of Health study published in eBioMedicine.

Using health data gathered from 11,255 adults over a 30-year period, researchers analyzed links between serum sodium levels – which go up when fluid intake goes down – and various indicators of health. They found that adults with serum sodium levels at the upper end of a standard range were more prone to develop chronic conditions and show signs of advanced biological aging than those with serum sodium levels within the medium ranges. Adults with higher levels were also more prone to die at a younger age. 

“The outcomes suggest that proper hydration may decelerate aging and lengthen a disease-free life,” said Natalia Dmitrieva, Ph.D., a study writer and researcher within the Laboratory of Cardiovascular Regenerative Medicine on the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), a part of NIH.  

The study expands on research the scientists published in March 2022, which found links between higher ranges of normal serum sodium levels and increased risks for heart failure. Each findings got here from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study, which incorporates sub-studies involving hundreds of Black and white adults from throughout the US. The primary ARIC sub-study began in 1987 and has helped researchers higher understand risk aspects for heart disease, while shaping clinical guidelines for its treatment and prevention. 

For this latest evaluation, researchers assessed information study participants shared during five medical visits – the primary two once they were of their 50s, and the last once they were between ages 70-90. To permit for a good comparison between how hydration correlated with health outcomes, researchers excluded adults who had high levels of serum sodium at baseline check-ins or with underlying conditions, like obesity, that might affect serum sodium levels.

They then evaluated how serum sodium levels correlated with biological aging, which was assessed through 15 health markers. This included aspects, corresponding to systolic blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar, which provided insight about how well everybody’s cardiovascular, respiratory, metabolic, renal, and immune system was functioning. Additionally they adjusted for aspects, like age, race, biological sex, smoking status, and hypertension.

They found that adults with higher levels of normal serum sodium – with normal ranges falling between 135-146 milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L) – were more prone to show signs of faster biological aging. This was based on indictors like metabolic and cardiovascular health, lung function, and inflammation. For instance, adults with serum sodium levels above 142 mEq/L had a 10-15% associated increased odds of being biologically older than their chronological age in comparison with ranges between 137-142 mEq/L, while levels above 144 mEq/L correlated with a 50% increase. Likewise, levels of 144.5-146 mEq/L were related to a 21% increased risk of premature death in comparison with ranges between 137-142 mEq/L.

Similarly, adults with serum sodium levels above 142 mEq/L had as much as a 64% increased associated risk for developing chronic diseases like heart failure, stroke, atrial fibrillation and peripheral artery disease, in addition to chronic lung disease, diabetes, and dementia. Conversely, adults with serum sodium levels between 138-140 mEq/L had the bottom risk of developing chronic disease.

The findings don’t prove a causal effect, the researchers noted. Randomized, controlled trials are mandatory to find out if optimal hydration can promote healthy aging, prevent disease, and result in an extended life. Nonetheless, the associations can still inform clinical practice and guide personal health behavior.  

People whose serum sodium is 142 mEq/L or higher would profit from evaluation of their fluid intake.”

Natalia Dmitrieva, Ph.D., Study Creator

She noted that almost all people can safely increase their fluid intake to satisfy advisable levels, which could be done with water in addition to other fluids, like juices, or vegetables and fruits with a high water content. The National Academies of Medicine, for instance, suggest that almost all women devour around 6-9 cups (1.5-2.2 liters) of fluids each day and for men, 8-12 cups (2-3 liters). 

Others might have medical guidance attributable to underlying health conditions. “The goal is to make sure patients are taking in enough fluids, while assessing aspects, like medications, which will result in fluid loss,” said Manfred Boehm, M.D., a study writer and director of the Laboratory of Cardiovascular Regenerative Medicine. “Doctors may additionally must defer to a patient’s current treatment plan, corresponding to limiting fluid intake for heart failure.”

The authors also cited research that finds about half of individuals worldwide don’t meet recommendations for each day total water intake, which frequently starts at 6 cups (1.5 liters).  

“On the worldwide level, this could have a huge impact,” Dmitrieva said. “Decreased body water content is probably the most common factor that increases serum sodium, which is why the outcomes suggest that staying well hydrated may decelerate the aging process and stop or delay chronic disease.”

This research was supported by the Division of Intramural Research at NHLBI. The ARIC study has been supported by research contracts from NHLBI, NIH, and the Department of Health and Human Services.   

Source:

NIH/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute

Journal reference:

Dmitrieva, N.I., et al. (2022) Middle-age high normal serum sodium as a risk factor for accelerated biological aging, chronic diseases, and premature mortality. eBioMedicine. doi.org/10.1016/j.ebiom.2022.104404.