Latest news with #JonathanRabinowitz
Time of India
08-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Drinking water can protect the heart, and even reduce the risk of heart failure, says science!
A recent study by Bar-Ilan University reveals that staying hydrated significantly lowers the risk of hypertension and heart failure. Analyzing data from over 400,000 adults, researchers found that sodium levels within the high-normal range are linked to increased cardiovascular risks. Lead author Prof. Jonathan Rabinowitz emphasizes hydration as a crucial, often overlooked, factor in preventing chronic diseases. Do you drink adequate water every day? Well, if not, it's time to start building a habit of drinking water. Hydration is not only important for your skin but also for your heart. Yes, that's right, proper hydration has a significant impact on your heart health. A recent study found that staying well-hydrated may significantly reduce the risk of developing two leading chronic conditions: hypertension and heart failure. The groundbreaking study by researchers at Bar-Ilan University found that hydration has protective effects on the heart. The findings are published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology . Hydration and overall health Representative image. The human body comprises around 60% water. This is why staying hydrated is one of the best things you can do for your overall health. Drinking eight 8-ounce (237-mL) glasses of water per day (the 8×8 rule) is recommended generally. From improving brain function, to boosting digestive health and helping in weight management, hydration has several functions in the body. Hydration and heart health The researchers have now found the significant impact of water on heart health. Their study was based on data collected from more than 400,000 healthy adults over two decades. This challenges the long-held beliefs about what constitutes a safe sodium level in the blood. The researchers found that even high-normal sodium levels may signal elevated risk for hypertension and heart failure They found that people with higher sodium levels than the 'normal' range are significantly more likely to develop hypertension and heart failure, two of the most common age-related chronic diseases worldwide. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo The researchers analyzed electronic health records from 2003-2023 of more than 407,000 healthy adults. It is one of the largest and longest-running analyses to date examining the link between hydration status and cardiovascular health. The findings They found that sodium levels of 140–142 mmol/L (still within normal range) were linked to a 13% higher risk of hypertension. When the level rose to above 143 mmol/L it was associated with a 29% higher risk of hypertension and 20% higher risk of heart failure. The study also revealed that nearly 60% of the healthy adult population had sodium levels in these risk-associated ranges. Sodium levels and hydration In standard blood tests, sodium is tested, and anything within the 135–146 mmol/L range is considered normal. However, this study challenged that assumption, suggesting a strong, long-term association between higher sodium levels and cardiovascular risk, even among those considered otherwise healthy. 'Our findings point to hydration as a critical and overlooked part of chronic disease prevention. A simple blood test might flag people who could benefit from basic lifestyle adjustments—like drinking more water, which reduces sodium levels,' lead author Prof. Jonathan Rabinowitz, from the Weisfeld School of Social Work at Bar-Ilan University, said. Shefali Jariwala's Heart-Stopping Final Hours Revealed I Pulse Was There But Eyes Never Opened! 'Hydration is often overlooked in chronic disease prevention. This study adds compelling evidence that staying well-hydrated may help reduce the long-term risk of serious conditions like hypertension and heart failure,' Rabinowitz added.
Time of India
19-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Drinking more water may lower risk of high blood pressure, heart failure, study finds
Tel Aviv: People with higher sodium levels -- still within the normal range -- are more likely to develop high blood pressure and heart failure , but staying well-hydrated can help prevent these problems, Israeli scientists said on Sunday. A team of researchers from Bar-Ilan University examined 20 years of electronic health records from more than 407,000 healthy adults enrolled in Leumit Healthcare Services , one of Israel's largest health providers. Their findings, published in the peer-reviewed European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, suggest that individuals with sodium levels at the higher end of the normal range face significantly elevated risks for high blood pressure and heart failure. Till now, the 135-146 mmol/L sodium range was broadly accepted as "normal," with little clinical concern unless levels were outside this band. But the Bar-Ilan study found that otherwise healthy individuals with sodium levels between 140-146 mmol/L still face measurably higher risks of developing chronic cardiovascular conditions . For those with levels above 143 mmol/L, the risk jumped to 29 per cent for hypertension and 20 per cent for heart failure. "Our findings point to hydration as a critical and overlooked part of chronic disease prevention ," said Prof. Jonathan Rabinowitz of the Weisfeld School of Social Work at Bar-Ilan University, who led the study. "A simple blood test might flag people who could benefit from basic lifestyle adjustments--like drinking more water, which reduces sodium levels." The researchers tied in hydration by using blood sodium levels as an indirect marker of a person's hydration status. Sodium concentration in the blood rises when the body is underhydrated because there's not enough water to dilute the sodium. Nearly 60 per cent of participants had sodium levels falling within the risk-associated range, underscoring how widespread the issue may be even among healthy populations. The associations held firm even after accounting for variables such as age, sex, body mass index, smoking, potassium levels, and blood pressure. To ensure the data accurately reflected hydration-related risks, individuals with conditions affecting water balance were excluded from the analysis. "Hydration is often overlooked in chronic disease prevention," Rabinowitz added. "This study adds compelling evidence that staying well-hydrated may help reduce the long-term risk of serious conditions like hypertension and heart failure." The US National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine recommends a daily fluid intake of approximately 3.7 liters for adult men and 2.7 liters for adult women. However, individual hydration needs can vary based on factors such as age, activity level, climate, and health status.
