Water intake, hydration status and cognitive functions in older adults – a pilot study

Significant relationships between some indicators of hydration status and selected cognitive domains were observed. This pilot study complements previous research on the relationship between hydration status and cognitive function in older adults, emphasizing that even small changes in hydration status assessment parameters can affect cognitive outcomes. In healthy, free-living older adults without dehydration assessed by plasma osmolality, other parameters of hydration status, such as water intake and urine parameters, influence language functions, suggesting the need to assess multiple markers simultaneously. The long-term effect of low water intake should be evaluated in a larger study group.