A recent study has revealed that people who drink less than 1.5 liters of water daily may produce significantly higher levels of cortisol, the hormone linked to stress. The findings, published in Applied Psychology, indicate that chronic dehydration can intensify the body's response to stressful situations.

Researchers at Liverpool John Moores University monitored two groups of young adults over one week: one consuming below 1.5 liters of fluids per day, and another meeting recommended hydration levels. Both groups were then exposed to stress tests, including public speaking and mental arithmetic. Although participants reported similar levels of anxiety, those who drank less water registered cortisol spikes up to 50 percent higher.

Scientists explained that dehydration stimulates vasopressin, a hormone that conserves water but also activates brain stress pathways. Elevated cortisol over time has been linked to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, kidney problems, and depression, raising concerns about the long-term effects of inadequate hydration.

Interestingly, the dehydrated group did not report feeling more thirsty. Instead, urine analysis confirmed the condition, with darker coloration signaling fluid deficiency. Experts caution that thirst is not always a reliable indicator of hydration status, while urine color provides a clearer measure.

Health specialists stress that while drinking water is not a cure for stress, maintaining adequate hydration offers an easy and accessible way to support resilience. Unlike therapies or lifestyle programs that require significant resources, drinking sufficient water provides an immediate and low-cost tool for managing daily pressures.

The study underscores hydration as a vital, yet often overlooked, factor in physical and mental health. Combined with rest, exercise, nutrition, and social well-being, water intake should be recognized as a simple but powerful contributor to stress management and long-term health.

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