Sodium-bicarbonated mineral water decreases aldosterone levels without affecting urinary excretion of bone minerals

Blood Pressure Stability and Plasma Aldosterone Reduction: The Effects of a Sodium and Bicarbonate-Rich Water - A Randomized Controlled Intervention Study

Objective: Hypertension is a recognized risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), and dietary sodium intake has been linked to its development. However, mineral water high in bicarbonate and sodium does not appear to have adverse effects on blood pressure.This study examines the effects of consuming a mineral water high in bicarbonate and sodium (HBS) compared to a low bicarbonate and sodium (LBS) mineral water on blood pressure and related factors.Methods: A randomized controlled intervention was conducted with 94 healthy participants, consuming 1,500 - 2,000 mL daily of either mineral water high in bicarbonate and sodium (HBS water, n = 49) or low in bicarbonate and sodium (LBS water, n = 45). Blood pressure, anthropometrics, and urinary calcium and sodium excretion were assessed at baseline and after 28 days. 3-day food protocols were assessed to evaluate possible dietary changes.Results: Blood pressure changes did not differ between the groups. Both normotensive and hypertensive subjects showed similar changes in systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) in response to the different test waters. Serum aldosterone decreased significantly in both groups, with a greater reduction in the HBS group. Urinary calcium excretion significantly decreased (p = 0.002) and sodium excretion increased in the HBS group. Multiple linear regression analyses indicated no association between urinary sodium excretion and systolic blood pressure increase in the HBS group (B = 0.046, p = 0.170). Changes in urinary sodium excretion did not correlate with changes in serum aldosterone in the same group (r=-0.146, p = 0.350).Conclusions: The study revealed no significant differences in blood pressure changes between individuals consuming HBS water and LBS water. Notably, the additional sodium intake from the test water was effectively excreted.Trial registration: This trial was registered in the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00025341, https://drks.de/search/en).

Effects of Sodium Chloride-Rich Mineral Water on Intestinal Epithelium. Experimental Study

Since knowledge concerning the cellular and tissue substrate that explains the therapeutic action of mineral waters is generally very scarce, we address the different effects that Lanjarón-Capuchina mineral water exerts on the intestinal epithelium in an experimental model as a prototype of the sodium chloride-rich mineral waters used in digestive disorders. In the experimental protocol, two groups of five adult Wistar rats received unrestricted mineral water in their diet or mineral water directly into the gastrointestinal tract through a catheter. A third control group was given a standard diet and water ad libitum. Intestinal samples for scanning electron microscopy were analyzed according to standardized methods. The observations carried out by microscope after the administration of the sodium chloride-rich mineral water clearly indicate that the hypertonic action of this mineral water affects the structure of the intestinal epithelium. It modifies the microvilli absorption in terms of the groups of enterocytes and the secretion of goblet cells, but it particularly affects the epithelial renewal process, accelerating and stimulating cell extrusion. The type of extrusion mechanism observed by microscope allows us to affirm that, although this increased after direct administration, it does not generate an epithelial disruption as it occurs in other circumstances with other extrusion modalities.

Development of Classification Models for the Prediction of Alzheimer's Disease Utilizing Circulating Sex Hormone Ratios

BACKGROUND

While sex hormones are essential for normal cognitive health, those individuals with greater endocrine dyscrasia around menopause and with andropause are more likely to develop cognitive loss and Alzheimer's disease (AD).

OBJECTIVE

To assess whether circulating sex hormones may provide an etiologically significant, surrogate biomarker, for cognitive decline.

METHODS

Plasma (n = 152) and serum (n = 107) samples from age- and gender-matched AD and control subjects from the Wisconsin Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (ADRC) were analyzed for 11 steroids and follicle-stimulating hormone. Logistic regression (LR), correlation analyses, and recursive partitioning (RP) were used to examine the interactions of hormones and hormone ratios and their association with AD. Models generated were then tested on an additional 43 ADRC samples.

RESULTS

The wide variation and substantial overlap in the concentrations of all circulating sex steroids across control and AD groups precluded their use for predicting AD. Classification tree analyses (RP) revealed interactions among single hormones and hormone ratios that associated with AD status, the most predictive including only the hormone ratios identified by LR. The strongest associations were observed between cortisol, cortisone, and androstenedione with AD, with contributions from progesterone and 17β-estradiol. Utilizing this model, we correctly predicted 81% of AD test cases and 64% of control test cases.

CONCLUSION

We have developed a diagnostic model for AD, the Wisconsin Hormone Algorithm Test for Cognition (WHAT-Cog), that utilizes classification tree analyses of hormone ratios. Further refinement of this technology could provide a quick and cheap diagnostic method for screening those with AD.

Metabolic Syndrome Features: Is There a Modulation Role by Mineral Water Consumption? A Review

Metabolic syndrome (MetSyn) promotes, among others, the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Its prevalence increases with age, highlighting the relevance of promoting precocious MetSyn primary prevention and treatment with easy-to-implement lifestyle interventions. MetSyn features modulation through mineral water consumption was reviewed on Pubmed, Scopus and Google Scholar databases, using the following keywords: metabolic syndrome, hypertension, blood pressure (BP), cholesterol, triglycerides, apolipoprotein, chylomicron, very low-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), glucose, insulin, body weight, body mass index, waist circumference (WC), obesity and mineral(-rich) water. Twenty studies were selected: 12 evaluated BP, 13 assessed total-triglycerides and/or HDL-cholesterol, 10 analysed glucose and/or 3 measured WC. Mineral waters were tested in diverse protocols regarding type and composition of water, amount consumed, diet and type and duration of the study. Human and animal studies were performed in populations with different sizes and characteristics. Distinct sets of five studies showed beneficial effects upon BP, total-triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol and glucose. WC modulation was not reported. Minerals/elements and active ions/molecules present in mineral waters (and their pH) are crucial to counterbalance their inadequate intake and body status as well as metabolic dysfunction and increased diet-induced acid-load observed in MetSyn. Study characteristics and molecular/physiologic mechanisms that could explain the different effects observed are discussed. Further studies are warranted for determining the mechanisms involved in the putative protective action of mineral water consumption against MetSyn features.

Natural mineral waters: chemical characteristics and health effects

Water contributes significantly to health and a daily intake of 1.5 to 2 liters of water should be guaranteed, because a good hydration is essential to maintain the body water equilibrium, although needs may vary among people. However, worldwide population is far from the Recommended Allowance for water intake. Among the waters for human uses, there are 'waters (treated or not), intended for drinking, used for the food and beverages preparation or for other domestic purposes' and natural mineral waters, that are 'originated from an aquifer or underground reservoir, spring from one or more natural or bore sources and have specific hygienic features and, eventually, healthy properties'. According to the European Legislation (2009/54/EC Directive), physical and chemical characterization is used to make a classification of the different mineral waters, basing on the analysis of main parameters. Mineral composition enables to classify natural mineral waters as bicarbonate mineral waters, sulphate mineral waters, chloride mineral waters, calcic mineral waters, magnesiac mineral waters, fluorurate mineral waters, ferrous mineral waters and sodium-rich mineral waters. Although the concerns about bottled mineral waters (due to plasticizers and endocrine disruptors), many are the health effects of natural mineral waters and several studies explored their properties and their role in different physiological and pathological conditions.

Aldosterone changes after consumption of a sodium-bicarbonated mineral water in humans. A four-way randomized controlled trial

Abnormally high aldosterone levels are associated to hypertension and cardiovascular disease. A sodium-rich mineral water was previously shown to reduce several markers of cardiovascular risk and did not increase blood pressure in healthy adults. We aimed to study the effects of consuming the same mineral water compared to a control water on aldosterone levels, and if the effects vary due to the presence of meal in healthy adults. The design was a four-way randomized controlled crossover 120-min-postprandial trial. Twenty-one healthy men and women participated in the study. Exclusion criteria are diabetes, hypertension, and being a usual consumer of carbonic mineral water. Two different mineral waters, high-sodium and bicarbonate mineral water (BW, sodium, 1 g/L; bicarbonate, 2 g/L) and low-mineral content control water (CW), were consumed with or without a standard meal (500 mL per meal). Statistical analysis was performed by repeated measures ANOVA. The results are as follows: serum sodium did not vary, and serum potassium decreased throughout the assay (p = 0.01) without water influence. Consumption of BW significantly decreased aldosterone levels at 30 (p = 0.046), 60 (p = 0.009), and 120 (p = 0.025) min when consumed alone, and at 120 min (p = 0.019) when consumed with meal, compared to CW. Moreover, the effect of BW on aldosterone levels was significant in women but not in men. In conclusion, consumption of a sodium-bicarbonated mineral water, in presence or absence of meal, induces aldosterone inhibition in healthy women, which is suggested to be a physiological response that protects them against hypertension. This trial is registered at clinicaltrial.gov as NCT01334840.

An Intervention with Mineral Water Decreases Cardiometabolic Risk Biomarkers. A Crossover, Randomised, Controlled Trial with Two Mineral Waters in Moderately Hypercholesterolaemic Adults

Water intake is essential for health maintenance and disease prevention. The effects of an intervention with two mineral waters, sodium-bicarbonated mineral water (BW) or control mineral water low in mineral content (CW), on cardiometabolic risk biomarkers were studied. In a randomised-controlled crossover-trial, sixty-four moderately hypercholesterolaemic adults were randomly assigned to consume 1 L/day of either BW (sodium, 1 g/L; bicarbonate, 2 g/L) or CW with the main meals for eight weeks, separated by an eight-week washout period. Blood lipids, lipid oxidation, glucose, insulin, aldosterone, urine pH, urinary electrolytes, blood pressure, body weight, fluid intake, energy, and nutrients from total diet and beverages were determined. Total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and glucose decreased (p < 0.01), oxidised LDL tended to decrease (p = 0.073), and apolipoprotein B increased during the intervention, without water type effect. Energy and carbohydrates from beverages decreased since soft drinks and fruit juice consumptions decreased throughout the trial. BW increased urinary pH (p = 0.006) and reduced calcium/creatinine excretion (p = 0.011). Urinary potassium/creatinine decreased with both waters. Consumption of 1 L/day of mineral water with the main meals reduces cardiometabolic risk biomarkers, likely to be attributed to a replacement of soft drinks by water. In addition, BW does not affect blood pressure and exerts a moderate alkalizing effect in the body.

Types and characteristics of drinking water for hydration in the elderly

The role of hydration in the maintenance of health is increasingly recognized. Hydration requirements vary for each person, depending on physical activity, environmental conditions, dietary patterns, alcohol intake, health problems, and age. Elderly individuals have higher risk of developing dehydration than adults. Diminution of liquid intake and increase in liquid losses are both involved in causing dehydration in the elderly. The water used for drinking is provided through regular public water supply and the official sanitary controls ensure their quality and hygiene, granting a range of variation for most of its physical and chemical characteristics, being sometimes these differences, though apparently small, responsible for some disorders in sensitive individuals. Hence, the advantages of using bottled water, either natural mineral water or spring water, are required by law to specify their composition, their major components, and other specific parameters. It is essential to take this into account to understand the diversity of indications and favorable effects on health that certain waters can offer.

A sodium-bicarbonated mineral water reduces gallbladder emptying and postprandial lipaemia: a randomised four-way crossover study

BACKGROUND

Sodium-bicarbonated mineral waters are reported to have beneficial digestive and hypocholesterolaemic properties. The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of consumption of a sodium-bicarbonated mineral water (BW) with or without a meal, compared to a low mineral content water as the control water (CW), on postprandial serum triacylglycerols (TAG), cholecystokinin (CCK) and gallbladder volume.

METHODS

The study design was a four-way randomised controlled crossover trial. Healthy adult men and women (>18 and <40 years, TAG <2.82 mmol/L) consumed 0.5 L of CW + standard meal; 0.5 L of BW + standard meal; and 0.5 L of CW without meal or 0.5 L of BW without meal.

RESULTS

BW consumed without meal had no significant effect on the study parameters compared to CW. However, BW with meal induced a lower concentration of serum TAG at 30 min (p = 0.01) and 60 min (p = 0.03) postprandial times, lower CCK concentrations at 30 min (p = 0.002), and higher gallbladder volume at 30 min (p = 0.03), 60 min (p = 0.01) and 120 min (p = 0.04). Gallbladder ejection fraction was lower with the BW (p = 0.03), whilst area under the curve and peak contraction amplitude (lowest gallbladder volume) were higher (p = 0.01, p = 0.02, respectively) compared to the CW.

CONCLUSION

Consumption of BW with a meal induces lower levels of CCK and reduces gallbladder emptying and postprandial TAG levels. It is proposed that this sodium-bicarbonated mineral water could be used as part of the habitual diet by the general population in order to reduce cardiovascular risk.