To help keep cellulite at bay, drink lots of water - still or sparkling

• Drink two litres of water a day, still or sparkling, to help prevent whole body aging, skin aging and cellulite

• Good hydration linked to healthy aging and longevity, study finds

• The study design

• Lower hydration status means more chronic disease and whole body ageing

• Two litres of water a day can promote healthy skin, proper digestion and metabolism, in addition to healthy ageing and chronic disease prevention

• In summary

• Middle-age high normal serum sodium as a risk factor for accelerated biological aging, chronic diseases, and premature mortality

Drink two litres of water a day, still or sparkling, to help prevent whole body aging, skin aging and cellulite

It’s official: according to a study published in The Lancet and detailed below, drinking lots of water throughout your life helps ward off body ageing and degenerative diseases - and their respective subsets: skin ageing and cellulite.

Women should aim to drink 2-3 litres of water and non-caffeinated drinks and men should aim for 3-4 litres a day.

Still or sparkling, makes no difference. Contrary to popular belief, sparkling water does NOT cause cellulite.

But please do not count sugary/sweetened fizzy drinks, juices and juice drinks, as part of this advice.

Can drinking water prevent or reduce cellulite all on its own?

Of course not, but it’s an essential part of an overall healthy, anti-cellulite / anti-ageing regime.

Good hydration linked to healthy aging and longevity, study finds

According to a new study published in eBioMedicine by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), adults who maintain good hydration levels may be healthier, develop fewer chronic conditions, and live longer than those who do not consume sufficient fluids.

The study analysed data from over 11,000 adults over a 30-year period and found that those with higher serum sodium levels, which increase when fluid intake decreases, were more likely to suffer from chronic conditions and show signs of advanced biological aging. They were also more likely to die at a younger age.

The research expands upon previous findings from the NIH's Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study, which showed links between higher ranges of normal serum sodium levels and increased risks for heart failure.

The ARIC study has followed thousands of black and white adults from across the United States since 1987, helping researchers understand risk factors for heart disease and shaping clinical guidelines for its prevention and treatment.

The study design

For this latest analysis, researchers assessed information provided by study participants during five medical visits at ages 50 and over, and between ages 70 and 90.

They excluded adults with high levels of serum sodium at the beginning of the study or with underlying conditions such as obesity that could affect serum sodium levels.

The researchers then evaluated how serum sodium levels correlated with biological aging, which was assessed through 15 health markers including systolic blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar, providing insight into the functioning of each person's cardiovascular, respiratory, metabolic, renal, and immune system.

They also controlled for factors such as age, race, sex, smoking status, and hypertension.

Lower hydration status means more chronic disease and whole body ageing

The study found that adults with higher levels of normal serum sodium, with normal ranges falling between 135-146 mEq/L, were more likely to show signs of faster biological aging based on indicators such as metabolic and cardiovascular health, lung function, and inflammation.

For example, adults with serum sodium levels above 142 mEq/L had a 10-15% increased likelihood of being biologically older than their chronological age compared to ranges between 137-142 mEq/L, while levels above 144 mEq/L correlated with a 50% increase.

Similarly, levels of 144.5-146 mEq/L were associated with a 21% increased risk of premature death compared to ranges between 137-142 mEq/L.

In addition, adults with serum sodium levels above 142 mEq/L had up to a 64% increased risk of developing chronic diseases like heart failure, stroke, atrial fibrillation, and peripheral artery disease, as well as chronic lung disease, diabetes, and dementia.

On the other hand, adults with serum sodium levels between 138-140 mEq/L had the lowest risk of developing chronic disease.

The researchers noted that the findings do not prove a causal effect and that randomised controlled trials are needed to determine if optimal hydration can promote health and longevity. However, the results suggest that proper hydration may slow down the aging process and prolong a disease-free life.

Two litres of water a day can promote healthy skin, proper digestion and metabolism, in addition to healthy ageing and chronic disease prevention

While the study focuses on the link between hydration and aging, it is important to note that proper hydration has numerous other benefits for overall health and well-being.

Adequate hydration can help maintain healthy blood pressure, prevent constipation, support proper digestion and metabolism, and promote healthy skin. It can also help prevent fatigue, improve physical performance, and support healthy kidney function.

So, how can we ensure that we are properly hydrated?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that adults consume at least 8 cups (64 ounces) of fluids per day, though individual needs may vary depending on factors such as age, sex, weight, and activity level.

Water is the best choice for hydration, but other fluids such as milk, juice, and even tea and coffee can contribute to daily fluid intake.

It is important to pay attention to thirst signals and drink fluids throughout the day, rather than waiting until you feel very thirsty.

It is also important to be mindful of certain circumstances that can increase the need for hydration.

For example, hot weather, fever, physical activity and drinking diuretics, such as alcohol and caffeinated drinks) can all lead to increased fluid loss and a greater need for hydration.

It is especially important for older adults to stay hydrated, as the body's ability to regulate fluid balance can decline with age.

In summary

In conclusion, the NIH study provides early clues about the potential benefits of good hydration for healthy aging and longevity.

While further research is needed to confirm a causal relationship, the findings suggest that proper hydration may slow down the aging process and reduce the risk of chronic conditions and premature death.

Ensuring adequate fluid intake through the consumption of water and other hydrating beverages can be an easy and effective way to support overall health and well-being.

Middle-age high normal serum sodium as a risk factor for accelerated biological aging, chronic diseases, and premature mortality

• Research paper link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36599719

• Abstract: Background: It is known that some people age faster than others, some people live into old age disease-free, while others develop age-related chronic diseases. With a rapidly aging population and an emerging chronic diseases epidemic, finding mechanisms and implementing preventive measures that could slow down the aging process has become a new challenge for biomedical research and public health. In mice, lifelong water restriction shortens the lifespan and promotes degenerative changes. Here, we test the hypothesis that optimal hydration may slow down the aging process in humans. Methods: We performed a cohort analysis of data from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study with middle-age enrollment (45-66 years, n = 15,752) and 25 years follow-up. We used serum sodium, as a proxy for hydration habits. To estimate the relative speed of aging, we calculated the biological age (BA) from age-dependent biomarkers and assessed risks of chronic diseases and premature mortality. Findings: The analysis showed that middle age serum sodium >142 mmol/l is associated with a 39% increased risk to develop chronic diseases (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.39, 95% confidence interval [CI]:1.18-1.63) and >144 mmol/l with 21% elevated risk of premature mortality (HR = 1.21, 95% CI:1.02-1.45). People with serum sodium >142 mmol/l had up to 50% higher odds to be older than their chronological age (OR = 1.50, 95% CI:1.14-1.96). A higher BA was associated with an increased risk of chronic diseases (HR = 1.70, 95% CI:1.50-1.93) and premature mortality (HR = 1.59, 95% CI 1.39-1.83). Interpretation: People whose middle-age serum sodium exceeds 142 mmol/l have increased risk to be biologically older, develop chronic diseases and die at younger age. Intervention studies are needed to confirm the link between hydration and aging. Funding: This work was funded by Intramural Research program of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). The ARIC study has been funded in whole or in part with federal funds from the NHLBI; the National Institutes of Health (NIH); and the Department of Health and Human Services.