Abstract
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of a change in water intake on mood and sensation in 22 habitual high-volume (HIGH; 2-4 L/d) and 30 low-volume (LOW; <1.2 L/d) drinkers who were asked to respectively decrease and increase their daily water intake.MethodDuring baseline HIGH consumed 2.5 L and LOW 1 L of water/day. During 3 controlled intervention days HIGH's water intake was restricted to 1 L/day whereas LOW's was increased to 2.5 L water/day. Several mood scales (Bond & Lader Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Profile of Mood States, Karolinska Sleepiness Scale, Thirst & Emotional VAS) were administered at different time points during the study. ANOVA including intervention, time point and intervention by time point as fixed effects on mean values (i.e.; baseline data vs. mean of 3 intervention days) for each mood scale was performed.ResultsAt baseline HIGH and LOW were comparable in mood state, except for thirst scores (estimate = 17.16, p<0.001) and POMS depression-dejection scores (estimate = 0.55, p<0.05) which were both higher in the HIGH vs. LOW. In HIGH the restricted water intake resulted in a significant increase in thirst (p<0.001) and a decrease in contentedness (p<0.05), calmness (p<0.01), positive emotions (p<0.05) and vigor/activity (p<0.001). In LOW, increased water consumption resulted in a significant decrease in fatigue/inertia (p<0.001), confusion/bewilderment (p = 0.05) and thirst (p<0.001) and a trend to lower sleepiness (p = 0.07) compared to baseline.ConclusionIncreasing water intake has beneficial effects in LOW, especially sleep/wake feelings, whereas decreasing water intake has detrimental effects on HIGH's mood. These deleterious effects in HIGH were observed in some sleep/wake moods as well as calmness, satisfaction and positive emotions.
Highlights
There is a growing body of literature showing that fluid deprivation negatively impacts several mood areas [1]
At baseline HIGH and LOW were comparable in mood state, except for thirst scores and Profile Of Mood States (POMS) depression-dejection scores which were both higher in the HIGH vs. LOW
In HIGH the restricted water intake resulted in a significant increase in thirst (p,0.001) and a decrease in contentedness (p,0.05), calmness (p,0.01), positive emotions (p,0.05) and vigor/activity (p,0.001)
Summary
There is a growing body of literature showing that fluid deprivation negatively impacts several mood areas [1] Most of these studies were performed in extreme conditions (e.g.: heat, intense physical exercise, high level of dehydration) and/or on specific populations like soldiers or athletes [2,3,4,5]. Rogers and colleagues [12] showed in adults an immediate positive effect of water consumption on mood (only alertness was tested) and a dose dependent reduction in thirst. Edmonds et al [18] reported that up to 500 mL water intake had beneficial effects on happiness ratings, compared to a control condition. Previous research has evaluated immediate (within one hour) effects of water consumption; changes in habitual daily intake volume have not been assessed
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