Dehydration Linked to Higher Stress Hormone Levels, Study Finds
Source: www.thehealthy.com Key Points: Dehydration raises stress hormones. Low hydration spikes cortisol even without thirst. Drinking enough water helps manage stress. LIVERPOOL, England—Failing to drink enough water could make people more vulnerable to dehydration and stress, as well as related health problems, researchers at Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) reported in a new study. The research, published in the Journal of Applied Physiology, found that individuals who consumed less than 1.5 liters of fluid per day showed a stress hormone response more than 50% higher than those who met recommended water intake guidelines. Elevated cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone, is linked to long-term risks including heart disease, diabetes, and depression. Study details and findings The study divided healthy young adults into two groups: those in the lowest 25% of daily fluid intake, averaging under 1.5 liters per day, and those in the highest 25%, meeting recommended lev...