According to the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, men should drink 15.5 cups of water daily, and women need 11.5 cups.
The National Institutes of Health conducted a 30-year study on over 11,000 individuals to see if there were any significant benefits to hydration and the aging process. Researchers examined hydration through serum sodium levels. Proper hydration cause serum sodium levels to decrease, while high serum sodium levels cause chronic conditions such as heart and lung disease. Individuals with high serum sodium levels are more likely to die at a younger age. These results suggest that adequate hydration may slow down the aging process and prevent chronic diseases. So what are some good habits we can develop to stay on top of our hydration?
- Carry a water bottle with you throughout your day
- Choose water over soda
- Flavor your water to make it more appealing
- Make water easily accessible
- Track your daily intake of water
Adopting a few of these habits can benefit your daily water consumption and have a positive impact on your health and wellness when it comes to aging.
Sources: nhlbi.nih.gov, mayoclinic.org, cdc.gov