People who regularly don’t drink enough water experience greater cortisol spikes during stressful events, which can impact long term health, according to new research.
Researchers say their findings could explain why poor hydration is linked to long term health risks.
People who don’t drink enough water have darker urine and do not urinate as much as those who drink more water.
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They are more at risk of metabolic, renal, and cardiovascular disease.
Additionally, reduced water intake could boost water-regulating hormones, which in turn triggers the release of the stress hormone cortisol.
Previous research has found that people who drink less than 1.2 litres of fluid a day have higher levels of cortisol, the stress hormone. This latest study set out to further understand the link between hydration and cortisol.
The study involved two groups, with 16 participants in each, who were aged between 18 and 35. One group was made up of individuals classed as habitually low fluid drinkers, while the other was made up of high fluid drinkers.
The participants were monitored for seven days, with daily fluid intake recorded.
After this monitoring period, the study participants completed the Trier Social Stress Test, with saliva samples analysed for cortisol and urine samples tested.
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The study authors concluded: “Cortisol reactivity to acute stress predicts long term health. Our novel findings show greater cortisol reactivity to acute stress in adults with habitual 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 and suboptimal hydration are related to poor long-term health. Furthermore, researchers should account for hydration when assessing cortisol reactivity to acute stressors.”
Read more in Journal of Applied Physiology
