Скачать или смотреть Hydration Status Influences Cortisol Reactivity to Acute Psychosocial Stress

Habitual fluid intake and hydration status influence cortisol reactivity to acute psychosocial stress​

A pioneering study led by experts from Danone Research & Innovation and Liverpool John Moores University reveals a strong link between hydration and how our bodies respond to stress. The findings, published in Journal of Applied Physiology, suggest that adequate hydration can help regulate cortisol, a discovery with significant implications for long-term health. ​

A total of 32 healthy adults were assessed. Participants were divided into two groups based on their habitual fluid intake: a low-intake group (averaged 1.3L/day) and a high-intake group (averaging 4.4L/day). After a week of monitored fluid consumption, participants underwent the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST), a well-established method for inducing acute psychosocial stress.​

Despite similar increases in heart rate and self-reported anxiety across all adults, only the low-intake group showed a significant spike in saliva cortisol levels following the stress test. According to Juliane Zemdegs, our Senior Scientific Affairs Manager: “Cortisol reactivity was nearly 50% higher in the low-intake group compared to their well-hydrated counterparts. We also observed a strong corelation between hydration markers — such as urine osmolality and color — and cortisol responses. For example, participants with darker urine — a typical indicator of suboptimal hydration — exhibited greater cortisol reactivity”.​
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This study is the first to show that habitual low fluid intake may heighten cortisol reactivity to stress, offering a potential mechanism for the previously observed association between poor hydration and chronic disease risk, including cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. While the study was cross-sectional and cannot establish causality, it opens the door for future randomized controlled trials to explore whether increasing daily water intake can directly reduce stress reactivity and improve long-term health outcomes.​

Juliane concludes: “As we continue to uncover the intricate connections between lifestyle habits and physiological health, one thing is clear: staying hydrated might be one of the simplest, yet most overlooked, ways to support mental resilience”.​

Read the full paper here: https://journals.physiology.org/doi/a...