Study Links Dehydration to Heightened Stress Responses
(MENAFN) A new study has uncovered a concerning link between dehydration and heightened stress responses, with significant health implications. According to media, the research, conducted by Liverpool John Moores University, reveals that people who fail to meet daily hydration recommendations may experience a more intense biological reaction to stress, even if they don’t feel thirstier than well-hydrated individuals.
The study, published in the Journal of Applied Physiology, focused on two groups of 16 participants each. One group, which consumed less than 1.5 liters (about 0.4 gallons) of water daily, was compared to another group that adhered to European Food Safety Authority guidelines, drinking about 2.5 liters (0.6 gallons) per day for men, and 2 liters (0.5 gallons) for women.
Over the course of a week, researchers monitored hydration levels before putting participants through a stress-inducing test that included a surprise job interview and a challenging mental arithmetic task in front of a panel.
Saliva samples collected before and after the test revealed a striking difference: those who were under-hydrated had significantly higher levels of cortisol—the body’s primary stress hormone—compared to the hydrated group.
Neil Walsh, a researcher at the university's School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, noted, “People who have a low daily fluid intake, who don’t meet the recommendations, are likely to be poorly hydrated.” “But what we didn’t know was whether, when you then stress those people under controlled conditions, they would have a greater stress hormone response.”
While both groups reported similar levels of anxiety and had comparable increases in heart rate during the stress test, only the under-hydrated group showed a pronounced spike in cortisol levels.
Walsh cautioned that such exaggerated cortisol reactions can lead to serious long-term health risks, including heart disease, diabetes, and depression. "If you know you have a looming deadline or a speech to make, keeping a water bottle close could be a good habit with potential benefits for your long-term health," he added.
This research highlights the importance of staying hydrated not just for physical health, but also for mental well-being, suggesting that drinking enough water may help mitigate stress and its harmful effects.
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