Could Staying Hydrated Help You Live Longer?
Water is essential for just about every function in our bodies, from keeping our organs working properly to regulating our body temperature. Losing more water than we take in can lead to dehydration, which happens when your body doesn’t have enough fluid to function properly.
Our bodies are constantly losing fluids. Sweating during exercise or in hot weather, dealing with an illness such as diarrhea or vomiting, and even breathing and going to the bathroom all cause our bodies to lose water. And as we age, our bodies don’t retain fluids as well. We may also become less aware of our thirst. This makes staying hydrated even more important.
But here’s a splash of good news! A study from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) found that people who stay hydrated throughout their lives are less likely to develop chronic diseases and may even live longer, healthier lives.
Excerpted from NIH Medline Plus
