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Body composition, energy expenditure and physical activity

Interpreting common hydration biomarkers on the basis of solute and water excretion

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 67, pages 249–253 (2013)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Background/Objectives:

This investigation evaluated 12 hydration biomarkers, to determine which represent 24-h whole-body water balance (that is, measured as water retention or clearance (WR-C) by the kidneys).

Subjects/Methods:

Healthy males (n=59; body mass, 75.1±7.9 kg; height, 178±6 cm; age, 22±3 years; body mass index, 23.9±2.4 kg/m2) met with a registered dietitian each morning (days 1–11) to optimize completeness and accuracy of food and fluid records, then went about ordinary daily activities. These men visited the laboratory for blood samples and collected all urine produced on days 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12. The reference standard (WR-C) was calculated using 24-h urine volume, 24-h urine osmolality, and serum osmolality (single morning venous sample).

Results:

Statistical regression analyses indicated that, among the 12 hydration biomarkers, only 24-h urine osmolality (r2=0.60, P<0.0001) and 24-h urine specific gravity (r2=0.52, P<0.0001) strongly predicted WR-C. The 24-h fluid intake, 24-h body mass change, 24-h urine color and 24-h urine volume were weak (P>0.05) predictors of WR-C, similar to serum osmolality and other single measurements (range of r2 values, 0.19–0.0001).

Conclusions:

These observations of healthy, active young men demonstrate that WR-C is strongly related to the 24-h concentration of urine, which in turn reflects the excretion of total solids in the diet. Although morning urine assessments provided information about a single time point, 24-h urine osmolality and 24-h urine specific gravity were the best predictors of 24-h body water balance.

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Acknowledgements

This work was funded, in part, by the International Life Sciences Institute North America (ILSI NA), Washington, DC.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Kinesiology, Human Performance Laboratory, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA

    L E Armstrong, E C Johnson, A L McKenzie & C X Muñoz

  2. Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA

    L E Armstrong

  3. Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA

    L E Armstrong

Authors
  1. L E Armstrong
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  2. E C Johnson
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  4. C X Muñoz
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Correspondence to L E Armstrong.

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Competing interests

Professor Armstrong has received compensation as a consultant to ILSI NA and to Danone Research, Palaiseau France; he serves as a Scientific Advisory Board and Expert Working Group member for the Hydration for Health Initiative of Danone Research. The remaining authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Armstrong, L., Johnson, E., McKenzie, A. et al. Interpreting common hydration biomarkers on the basis of solute and water excretion. Eur J Clin Nutr 67, 249–253 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2012.214

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