Study Finds Lesser Sleep May Lead to Increased Chances of Dehydration

It’s winters and who wouldn’t like a few extra hours of sleep tucked within their warm blanket? With the exception of comfort, there's one more reason that's compelling enough to stay you in bed for long – turn out, a few extra hours in bed might assist you avoid dehydration According to a new study published in the journal Sleep, anything under six hours of shut-eye an evening might leave our bodies dehydrated.

“Short and long sleep period is connected to reduced urinary organ perform, however very little research has examined how sleep is related to hydration status”, the study states.

The study analyzed records of more than 25,000 adults in China and also the US, who were asked regarding their sleeping habits and had urine samples taken to look for biomarkers connected to hydration”, Science Alert reported.

For the purpose of the study, the relationship between sleep period and urinary dehydration biomarkers among adults during a social context were assessed and compared to succeed in a conclusion.

Researchers found that people who slept six hours a night had significantly more concentrated urine and a 16-59 percent higher chance of being dehydrated, compared with adults who were getting a regular eight hours of sleep.

Focusing on a hormone called vasopressin, a man-made form of a hormone called “anti-diuretic hormone” and is generally secreted by the pituitary gland that the body releases throughout the day and also the night to manage fluid levels, the researchers concluded that their findings could be connected to the way the body’s hormonal system regulates hydration.

“Vasopressin is released both more quickly and later on in the sleep cycle,” says one of the team members, Asher Rosinger from Pennsylvania State University. “So, if you’re waking up earlier, you might miss that window in which more of the hormone is released, causing a disruption in the body’s hydration”, he told Science Alert pointing out that sleep and hydration could, in fact, influence each other.

“This study suggests that if you’re not getting enough sleep, and you feel bad or tired the next day, drink extra water,” Rosinger stated.

Dehydration will have a negative impact on us– right from mood, cognition, and headache, to kidney function, vertigo, and physical performance. Looks like, with the exception of keeping yourself well hydrated with fluids and salts it is always a good idea to sleep in for a few extra hours, preferably with a glass of water on your bedside.

Also Read: Recognizing Dehydration Symptoms