I have been introduced in hydration and health for 20 years as a paper from the Adventist Health Study in Loma Linda, California reported fewer heart attacks with adequate fluids.
Now a new study identifies a connection between hydration, stress reactions, and lower cortisol levels. Get a good glass or stainless water bottle an keep it near you, optimally with filtered water.
This study investigated the unknown influence of habitual fluid intake and hydration status on saliva cortisol reactivity to psychosocial stress.
After screening 62 healthy males and females and adopting low and high fluid intake quartiles from a national database, we identified 16 individuals with habitual low (LOW: 1.3 L/day) and 16 with habitual high fluid intake (HIGH: 4.4 L/day) who were comparable for factors likely to influence stress reactivity (e.g., trait anxiety).
In pairs (one LOW and one HIGH), participants underwent 7 days of monitored habitual fluid intake. The following day, participants individually completed the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST). Hydration status was assessed in the days preceding and on the day of the TSST.
The TSST evoked similar increases in state anxiety and heart rate in LOW and HIGH, yet saliva cortisol increased significantly post-TSST only in LOW group
Moreover, cortisol reactivity was greater in LOW (6.2 ± 2.9 vs. HIGH: 4.0 ± 1.8 nmol/L) and was associated with hydration status.
These novel findings show greater cortisol reactivity to acute psychosocial stress in adults with habitual low fluid intake and suboptimal hydration, which may influence long-term health.
Cortisol reactivity to acute stress predicts long-term health. Our novel findings show greater cortisol reactivity to acute stress in adults with habitual low fluid intake. Suboptimal hydration (e.g., darker morning urine) was associated with greater cortisol reactivity to acute stress. These findings provide one possible explanation for why habitual low fluid intake and suboptimal hydration are related to poor long-term health.
What should you do? Make it a priority to focus on hydrations, mainly water and teas. Avoid sodas and energy drinks. Coffee can be included in a healthy diet
