Study reveals this everyday habit could help you live longer and stay healthier

You can invest in all the ‘beauty hacks’, ‘miracle products’, or any other elixir claiming to be the secret to a long life, but those aren’t always scientifically proven or even safe for everyone to use.

Forget about fad diets too! If you’re looking to slow down the ageing process and maintain good health, a new scientific study has shown that something as simple and accessible as a glass of water could make the difference.



A recent study found that drinking enough water each day may slow the ageing process and reduce your risk of developing chronic health conditions.

Conducted by the US National Institutes of Health, this study tracked the sodium levels of over 11,000 adults over the age of 30 and found that those with higher levels were significantly more likely to develop diseases such as diabetes, dementia, lung disease, heart failure and strokes, and to die at a younger age.


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Drinking water helps flush out toxins in your body. Credit: Pixabay/Pexels

The scientists found that restricting water intake leads to DNA damage, and inflammation, and speeds up the ageing process.

If you’re dehydrated, you might find yourself face-to-face with short-term problems such as headaches, tiredness, and dizziness. Long-term effects of not drinking enough water daily include constipation, kidney stones, and poor skin.



The lead author of the study, Dr Natalia Dmitrieva, explained that most people can safely increase their fluid intake with water, or with other fluids such as healthy juices, vegetables, or fruits with high water content.

She added: ‘Decreased body water content is the most common factor that increases serum sodium, which is why the results suggest that proper hydration may slow down ageing and prolong a disease-free life.’


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Water naturally rejuvenates your body. Credit: Cats Coming/Pexels

The findings from the study also back up results from previous studies that had similar hypotheses: lower-than-normal hydration levels can result in various age-related diseases.



Although the study didn’t specifically state how much water is needed, doctors recommend that adults should drink between six and eight cups of water or approximately two litres per day.

However, when it comes to staying hydrated, there’s no one-size-fits-all rule, as optimal levels of hydration will still vary depending on an individual’s lifestyle and activity levels, and health conditions.

A recent study by scientists from the University of Aberdeen found that drinking eight glasses of water per day may be too much for some people. For people who lead a fairly active lifestyle, hydration needs to be higher than usual.

Those who are looking to boost their hydration levels should do so gradually; drinking too much water can be dangerous and result in a host of health issues.


Key Takeaways

  • Staying hydrated slows down the ageing process and reduces the risk of developing chronic health conditions, according to a recent study from the National Institutes of Health.
  • The study of over 11,000 adults tracked sodium levels in the blood, which increase with dehydration, and those with higher levels were more likely to develop chronic diseases and die younger.
  • Dehydration can lead to short and long-term problems.
So, if you want to ensure you’re staying hydrated, make sure you’re drinking enough water, and also eating plenty of water-rich foods to boot!
 
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