Do not drink enough water intensifies the response to the stress of the body. Staying hydrated could reduce the risks linked to high cortisol.
Insufficient water consumption can increase sensitivity to stress -related health problems, according to new research by LJMU scientists.
The study revealed that people who consumed less than the recommended daily quantity of liquids have shown a stronger liberation of cortisol, the main body stress hormone. High cortisol responses are linked to higher risks of heart disease, diabetes and depression.
Published in the Journal of Applied PhysiologyThe research said that people drinking less than 1.5 liters of liquid per day (about seven cups of tea) had cortisol levels induced by stress of more than 50% more than those who have encountered recommended water consumption.
The main teacher of the study Neil Walsh, physiologist of the Sports School and Exercise of the LJMU, said: “Cortisol is the main stress hormone of the body and the responsiveness of exaggerated cortisol to stress is associated with an increased risk of heart disease, diabetes and depression.”
“If you know that you have an imminent maturity or a speech to make, keeping a bottle of nearby water could be a good habit with potential advantages for your long -term health.”
Poor long -term health
Neil and his colleagues divided young healthy adults into two equal groups according to their consumption of daily liquid, representing the lowest and highest 25% of the contribution. The “low liquid” group included participants who usually drank less than 1.5 liters of liquid each day (including water, tea and other drinks). The “high liquid” group was made up of individuals who have always encountered the recommended consumption of 2 liters for women and 2.5 liters for men. The two groups were balanced for important factors that can affect stress responses, such as psychological features and sleep habits.
For a week, participants continued their normal consumption habits while their hydration status was followed by blood and urine tests. Subsequently, they finished the social stress test of sorting, a widely used method which recreates the stress of the real world by combining a simulated job maintenance with a timed mental arithmetic challenge.
Dr. Daniel Kashi, a member of the study team, said: “The two groups also felt anxious and experienced a similar increase in heart rate during the stress test. However, only the “low -liquid” group has shown a significant increase in saliva cortisol in response to the stress test. “
He added: “Although the low -liquid group did not declare to have thirsty more than the high fluid group, they had signs of more dark and more concentrated urine, clear signs of poor hydration. Significant observation was that a poor hydration was associated with greater reactivity of cortisol in poor health.
“If you have a stressful schedule, keeping a bottle of nearby water could be a good habit,” said Dr. Daniel Kashi, physiologist, LJMU.
Why is dehydration harmful?
The answer lies in the body’s water regulation system, which is closely linked to the brain stress response center. When the body detects dehydration, whether due to an inadequate liquid consumption or an excessive loss of liquid, it triggers the release of a hormone called vasopressin. Vasopressin acts mainly on the kidneys, promoting the reabsorption of water to maintain blood volume and electrolytic balance. This conservation mechanism has a cost. The release of sustained vasopressin exerts additional pressure on the kidneys, which must work harder to concentrate the urine and manage the electrolytic balance.
Vasopressin also acts on the brain stress response center, hypothalamus, where it can influence the release of cortisol. This double role for vasopressin helps maintain blood volume and electrolytic balance, but also increases cortisol.
The researchers say that although other long -term studies are necessary, the results reinforce the current recommendations of water consumption – about 2 liters of liquid each day for women and 2.5 liters for men.
Hydration helps us manage stress
“Being hydrated can help your body manage stress more effectively,” added Dr. Kashi. A practical way to check your hydration status is to monitor your urine color – light yellow generally indicates good hydration.
“If you know, for example, that you have a stressful schedule, perhaps an imminent deadline or a speech to be made, keeping a bottle of water nearby could be a good habit with potential long-term health benefits.”
Reference: “Hydrational status of the usual liquid influences the reactivity of cortisol to acute psychosocial stress” by Daniel S. Kashi, Marianne Hunter, Jason P. Edwards, Juliane Zemdegs, Jennifer Lourenço, Anne-Cille Mille, Erica T. Perrier, Alberto Dolci and Neil P. Journal of Applied Psychology.
DOI: 10.1152 / JAPPLPHYSIOL.00408.2025
Funding: Danone Research & Innovation
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