Perspective: Water and Electrolytes in Daily Hydration Compared with Acute Rehydration: Expert Consensus and Research...

Adequate hydration is essential for the normal functioning of the body and health. Adequate hydration is affected by the diet, environmental conditions, social norms, personal preferences, cultural traditions, medical issues, and physical activity. Much research has been conducted on how to best measure various states of hydration, as well as the physiology underlying the regulation of osmolality and hydration. The most current evidence suggests that there is no single reference standard for measuring hydration status, and the most reliable biomarker can vary across situations. Much research has been conducted to understand the physiological processes that regulate hydration (e.g., vasopressin), as well as the associations between hydration, diet, and health. Much of this research has been conducted in animals or as observational studies. There is a need for clinical trials to evaluate causal relationships among diet and lifestyle, physiological regulation, hydration status, and health outcomes. On the basis of the most current evidence, consensus statements, action items, and future research needs were developed.