Affiliate & partner disclosure: This article contains affiliate links, and I may earn a commission if you buy through them at no extra cost to you. As an authorised LifeWave Brand Partner, I have a financial interest in promoting LifeWave products, including X2O. Testimonial/editorial given by a LifeWave brand partner with financial interest in promoting the product. Full disclosure at the end.
A note before we start. If you have heart, kidney or liver disease, or have been told to limit fluids or salt, follow your doctor’s advice. This is general information, not medical advice. LifeWave X2O is a water filtration and infusion system; it is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and no claim is made that it slows ageing.
Chronic, low-level under-hydration may matter more than we thought. A large NIH study linked it with faster biological ageing. Here’s what it found, and what to do about it.
Key takeaways
- Adults with higher-normal blood sodium in midlife aged faster biologically and had more chronic disease.
- The study is observational — it shows a link, not proof.
- Thirst tends to weaken with age, so drink by habit, not just thirst.
- Ordinary water and a normal diet are enough for most people.
The NIH study
A 2023 study in eBioMedicine by US National Institutes of Health researchers followed over 11,000 adults for about 25 years. People whose midlife serum sodium was above 142 mmol/L (within the normal range, but suggesting lower fluid intake) were more likely to be biologically older than their age. Those above 144 mmol/L had around a 50% higher risk of being biologically older and around a 21% higher risk of early death. Higher sodium was also linked with more chronic disease.
Because it’s observational, other factors could explain part of the link. But it’s a reasonable nudge to drink enough consistently.
Why it might matter
Possible mechanisms include effects on blood pressure regulation, stress hormones and inflammation. Claims that everyday mild dehydration directly shortens telomeres or damages mitochondria go beyond current evidence.
What helps
- Drink consistently through the day; don’t rely on thirst after 40.
- Use urine colour — pale straw is the target.
- Drink more with exercise, heat, sauna and alcohol.
- Electrolytes for heavy sweating — I use Perform electrolytes around training and sauna. Most people don’t need to add salt to their water, and people with high blood pressure shouldn’t without medical advice.
Plain tap or filtered water is absorbed perfectly well. See how much water to drink.
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Join free →Where does X2O fit? It isn’t needed to stay hydrated. X2O filters water and adds hydrogen and a light infusion: filtration is sensible, hydrogen water research is early and mixed, and the light infusion is unproven. I don’t own an X2O.
Frequently asked questions
Does dehydration really accelerate ageing?
The NIH study found a link between chronically lower hydration and faster biological ageing. It doesn’t prove cause, but drinking enough is cheap and sensible.
Should I get my serum sodium checked?
It’s on many routine blood panels. Discuss results with your GP rather than interpreting them yourself.
Is plain water enough?
Yes, for most people. Add electrolytes when you sweat heavily.
Does X2O treat any condition?
No. No such claim is made. LifeWave products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Related reading
How Dehydration Ages You · How Much Water Should You Drink? · What Are Electrolytes?
Full disclosure. This article is general information, not medical advice. LifeWave products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease; statements about them have not been evaluated by the FDA. As an authorised LifeWave Brand Partner I have a financial interest in promoting LifeWave products.
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