A study has found that people who hydrate frequently are less likely to experience chronic diseases of the lungs or heart and have longer life spans. The researchers responsible for the study are from the National Institute of Health.
How researchers conducted the study
The researchers gathered data from 11,225 people over 30 years of age. They analyzed various health indicators and compared them with the serum sodium levels of the participants. Serum sodium levels tend to reduce with fluid intake. They concluded that people with higher serum sodium levels would likely develop chronic illnesses and experience advanced signs of biological ageing before those with lower levels.
According to Dr. Natalia Dmitrieva, a lead study author from the Institute’s Laboratory of Cardiovascular Regenerative Medicine, the results indicate that being well-hydrated slows ageing and reduces the risk of developing chronic illness.
The team carried out a similar study in 2022
The researchers carried out a study in March 2022 that found that higher serum levels put people at risk for heart failure. They hoped to find the risk factors for heart failure. This new research expands on these findings.
The research team analyzed patients’ information during their hospital visits for this latest study. They focused on five trips, the first two being when the participants were in their 50s and the rest being between 70 and 90.
Since researchers wanted to evaluate the health outcomes that arise from higher serum sodium levels, they excluded patients with high baseline levels or those with diseases like obesity that would alter these levels. They then tried to correlate serum sodium levels with biological ageing by evaluating fifteen factors. These factors included blood glucose, cholesterol, and systolic blood pressure. They explained how the immune, renal, metabolic, respiratory, and cardiovascular systems function. Furthermore, the team adjusted for biological sex, age, hypertension, smoking status, and race.
Dmitrievea states that people with a serum sodium level of 142mEq/L or higher should undergo a medical assessment. Fortunately, most high-level people can correct it by taking more fluids. On the other hand, those with medical conditions would require assistance from medical providers.
