Can Proper Hydration Be the Key to Healthy Aging?

6 minutes
March 01, 2023

A study recently published in the Journal of eBioMedicine suggests that proper water intake could improve quality of life and decrease premature mortality rates. The study analyzed health data of middle-aged people over 25 years to test the prevalence of chronic diseases, and premature death. Based on the data collected, the study suggested that people with higher levels of sodium are more likely to be biologically older, develop chronic disease, and die at a younger age – with dehydration being one of the biggest factors that increases the level of sodium in the body.  

According to National Institutes of Health news release, Natalia Dmitrieva, Ph.D., a study author and researcher in the Laboratory of Cardiovascular Regenerative Medicine at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), part of NIH said, “The results suggest that proper hydration may slow down aging and prolong a disease-free life.” The study shows that proper hydration can combat age-dependent chronic diseases, improve and lengthen quality of life, and even decrease health costs. While there is no evidence that drinking more water will prevent aging, this research shows that optimal hydration may prevent chronic disease and even slow down the aging process. 

The Study: Break it down

The study tested the hypothesis that optimal hydration has a systemic effect on the aging process. To test this, researchers studied the serum sodium levels in 15,792 middle-aged Americans from 4 different communities. Previous research had shown that serum sodium levels increase in the body when there are less fluids, with a normal range of serum sodium range is defined as 135 – 146 mmol/l. When the subjects were followed up with 25 years later, there was a significant prevalence of chronic diseases among those who middle-aged serum sodium levels were in the upper part of the normal range, a threshold of 142mmol/l. Chronic diseases are defined as at risk of premature mortality, faster rate of biological aging, and increased burden of chronic diseases, such as heart failure, dementia, lung disease, and stroke. 

“On the global level, this can have a big impact,” Dmitrieva said according to the NIH. “Decreased body water content is the most common factor that increases serum sodium, which is why the results suggest that staying well hydrated may slow down the aging process and prevent or delay chronic disease.” According to the National Academies of Medicine, women should consume 48-72 ounces (1.5-2.2 liters) daily and men should consume 64-96 ounces (2-3 liters).

Is drinking water good for your skin?

Proper water balance in the circulatory system means the skin receives more nutrients, vitamins, and oxygen, supporting its cellular processes and immunity. Drinking water helps skin function from the inside out, but topical hydration helps from the outside in. One of the most effective ways to hydrate the skin is to improve its ability to retain water with humectants. 

What are Humectants?

Humectants are skincare ingredients that attract water and retain them, reducing trans epidermal water loss from the skin. Loaded with humectants, the Hyaluronic Marine collection was formulated for all skin types with this in mind to plump, replenish, and soothe dehydrated skin, like a tall glass of water for your skin. Hyaluronic acid is a skin moisturizing miracle – it pulls moisture from the air into skin and can hold 1000 times its weight in water. The result is hydrated, plumped skin. 

Check out our hydration-boosting formulas, loaded with humectants to keep your skin sufficiently hydrated:

  • Meltaway Cleanser: An oil-free, hypoallergenic makeup removing cleanser that completely removes waterproof makeup, dirt, and oil without stripping the moisture barrier.
  • Hydration Booster: A lightweight, time-released hydrating concentrate that infuses the skin with hydration.
  • Dew It Right Eye Gel: A cooling gel-cream that targets dryness, puffiness, dehydrated fine lines, and dark circles, all while delivering 72 hours of hydration.
  • Oil-Free Moisture Cushion: A hypoallergenic, oil-free moisturizer that delivers a burst of hydration without any unwanted shine. This lightweight gel-cream plumps and balances skin while smoothing away dry fine lines.
  • Hydrating Modeling Mask: A two-step, gel + powder mask that delivers intense hydration to your skin. This cooling and deeply hydrating treatment delivers immediate radiance after one use. 

 


 

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Written By

Ben Gentzler

Ben Gentzler has worked in the beauty industry for 17 years — 10 of which were spent in clinical skincare. He is a licensed esthetician with a passion for leading professional education on cutting edge treatments at top spas around the world and for training on the science of skin. Ben has trained directly with Dr. Dennis Gross, learning about the state of the art in skincare and working with his clients to help them achieve their best skin.

Read More from Ben Gentzler

Written By

Ben Gentzler

Ben Gentzler has worked in the beauty industry for 17 years — 10 of which were spent in clinical skincare. He is a licensed esthetician with a passion for leading professional education on cutting edge treatments at top spas around the world and for training on the science of skin. Ben has trained directly with Dr. Dennis Gross, learning about the state of the art in skincare and working with his clients to help them achieve their best skin.

Read More from Ben Gentzler

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