Long-term health outcomes associated with hydration status
Natalia I Dmitrieva1, Manfred Boehm2, Paul H Yancey3
1Laboratory of Cardiovascular Regenerative Medicine, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA. dmitrien@nhlbi.nih.gov.
Nature Reviews. Nephrology
|February 27, 2024
Summary
Maintaining body water balance is crucial for health. Persistent underhydration, even mild, may increase risks for chronic diseases, aging, and mortality, prompting further research into hydration optimization.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Homeostasis
- Fluid Balance
Background:
- Body water balance relies on homeostatic mechanisms regulating fluid volume, osmolality, and composition.
- Mechanisms balance water loss (urine, skin, GI, respiration) with gains (drinking, eating, metabolic production).
- Hydration status reflects the body's water balance state.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the physiological responses to underhydration.
- To investigate potential detrimental long-term health effects of persistent underhydration.
- To inform future research on hydration optimization strategies.
Main Methods:
- Review of epidemiological and experimental studies.
- Analysis of markers associated with underhydration (vasopressin, sodium, urine osmolality).
- Consideration of ongoing interventional trials.
Main Results:
- Underhydration triggers adaptive responses to conserve water and increase intake.
- Markers like elevated vasopressin, sodium, and urine osmolality indicate underhydration.
- Associations exist between underhydration markers and increased risks of chronic diseases, aging, and mortality.
Conclusions:
- Persistent activation of adaptive responses to underhydration may negatively impact long-term health.
- Understanding physiological responses is key to identifying mechanisms of adverse effects.
- Further research and interventions are needed to optimize hydration status.
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