PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — According to a new study, the secret to staying as young and healthy as possible may be in a glass of water.
According to the results of a 30-year study, which have been published in a journal called EBioMedicine, if you stay well hydrated on a daily basis, you can lower your risk of developing chronic diseases, and you can look younger.
"Well hydrated" is another way of saying "drinking several glasses of water each day."
The key appears to be sodium concentration. Higher blood sodium levels were associated with increased risk of heart failure, diabetes and even dementia.
Critics of the study say that the author's definition of "looking younger" was not based on a clear consensus, but there is widespread agreement about the importance of staying well hydrated.
KYW Newsradio's Medical Reports are sponsored by Independence Blue Cross.
