Staying well-hydrated is key to living longer

A new study has suggested that adults who drink plenty of water are likely to slow down the ageing process and prevent chronic health conditions such as heart failure and diabetes.

The study was conducted by US medical research agency the National Institutes of Health and used data gathered from more than 11,000 adults by tracking sodium levels in their blood - which go up when fluid intake drops.

Those with higher levels of sodium were 64 per cent more likely to develop chronic diseases and to die at a young age.

Lead author Dr Natalia Dmitrieva said: "The results suggest that proper hydration may slow down ageing and prolong a disease-free life."

The research, which has been published in the journal eBioMedicine, backs up results from previous studies suggesting that lower hydration levels can cause a range of health problems.

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