Water for Longevity & Cognition
      If you’re interested in maximizing your brain power and getting every last ounce of productivity out of your day, you’re probably not drinking enough water as you go! When you couple that with a lot of high-energy, dehydrating beverages like coffee and tea, you are adding extra stress on your body which, in turn, affects the brain. Aside from achieving better general wellness when you drink enough water, staying hydrated may be one the key ways to fight the battle of aging. Delve into the exploration of “Water for Longevity & Cognition,” unraveling how hydration impacts cognitive function and enhances lifespan.
The latest findings from the National Institutes of Health found that the relationship between sodium and water contributes to dispositions to biological aging and increased risk of degenerative disorders. Sodium and water, along with other electrolytes, balance fluids in the body. By following over 11,000 adults over a 30-year period, the benefit to keeping sodium levels in check with proper hydration became clearer.
               Adults whose sodium levels were higher experienced an accelerated biological aging, which affected everything from blood pressure to metabolic health. Biological age increased by up to 15% beyond chronological age as sodium levels rose among the participants. Participants experienced reduced risk of disorders by maintaining better hydration and lowering sodium levels through increased fluid intake alone.
Hydration and Cognition
               Many adults and children operate in a state of near-constant dehydration, unaware they’re not consuming enough water, impacting cognition. The once rigid eight-cup rule for daily fluid intake has given way to a more flexible range deemed beneficial for health. For best health and aging, know your fluid needs and stay within recommended intake levels to maintain optimal hydration.
               As the popularity of sodas, caffeinated drinks, and fruit juices surged, water took a back seat for many modern adults. This study did not emphasize reducing sodium intake through diet. Simply drinking the correct amount of clear water helped the body stay hydrated and reduced the aging process. Maintaining a balanced sodium-to-fluid ratio is crucial for body and brain health as you age, avoiding vilifying sodium.
Further Reading
Natalia I. Dmitrieva, Alessandro Gagarin, Delong Liu, Colin O. Wu, Manfred Boehm. Middle-age high normal serum sodium as a risk factor for accelerated biological aging, chronic diseases, and premature mortality. eBioMedicine, 2023; 104404 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2022.104404
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