Staying well-hydrated throughout the day when out and about may help the body handle stress more effectively and reduce the risk of stress-related health issues, new research from Liverpool John Moores University has revealed.
People who don’t get enough fluids each day tend to have a stronger stress hormone response – a reaction linked to higher risks of heart disease, diabetes, and depression.
The study, published in the Journal of Applied Physiology, found that people who drank less than 1.5 litres of fluid a day had a stress hormone response that was over 50% higher than those who drank the recommended amount.
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Lead researcher Professor Neil Walsh explained: "Cortisol is the body's primary stress hormone and exaggerated cortisol reactivity to stress is associated with an increased risk of heart disease, diabetes and depression."
The key message is, if you’ve got an important task ahead – stressful paperwork, a tricky conversation, a high-stakes meeting – keeping a water bottle handy could be a surprisingly effective way to help your body cope.
The study looked at two groups of healthy young adults: one drank less than 1.5 litres per day, while the other met daily water intake recommendations – 2 litres for women, 2.5 for men. Both groups were tested for hydration using blood and urine samples, and then put through a simulated stress test – a fake job interview and a tough mental maths task.
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While both groups felt equally nervous and had similar heart rate increases, only the low-fluid group showed a significant jump in cortisol levels – a sign that poor hydration puts extra pressure on the body, even if you don’t feel thirsty.
Dr Daniel Kashi, another member of the research team, pointed out that although the low-fluid group didn’t say they felt more thirsty, their urine was darker and more concentrated – clear indicators that their bodies were under-hydrated.
He explained: "Being hydrated may help your body manage stress more effectively." A practical way to check your hydration status is to monitor your urine colour – light yellow typically indicates good hydration.
"If you know, for example, that you have a stressful schedule, maybe 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."
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