THE IMPACT OF HYDRATION ON SLEEP QUALITY AND DURATION: A LITERATURE REVIEW
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31435/ijitss.3(51).2026.6555Keywords:
Hydration, Dehydration, Fluid Intake, Sleep Quality, Sleep Duration, NocturiaAbstract
Introduction: Adequate hydration is essential for maintaining the body's water balance and overall homeostasis. The relationship between hydration status, fluid intake, and sleep duration and quality remains relatively poorly understood and under-researched. Both insufficient hydration and excessive fluid intake immediately before bedtime may affect the quality of nighttime rest.
Objective: The aim of this paper was to summarize current evidence on the relationship between hydration status, the timing of fluid intake, and selected sleep parameters in adults.
Materials and methods: A narrative review of the literature available in PubMed was conducted. Publications concerning hydration, dehydration, water and other fluid intake, sleep quality and duration, sleep efficiency, and nocturia were analyzed. Particular attention was given to recent observational and interventional studies, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses published in English.
Results: Observational studies provide evidence of associations between hydration status and sleep duration, subjective sleep quality, sleep-onset latency, and sleep efficiency. Findings from experimental studies are less consistent. In some studies, mild dehydration did not significantly affect objective sleep parameters, whereas in others it was associated with greater difficulty falling asleep. Fluid intake before bedtime may increase the risk of nocturia, awakenings, and sleep fragmentation. These relationships were influenced by factors such as age, physical activity, ambient temperature, caffeine, alcohol, chronic diseases, and medications.
Conclusions: Hydration status and the timing of fluid intake may affect sleep, but the available evidence does not permit a clear causal relationship to be established. Distributing fluid intake evenly throughout the day and avoiding large volumes immediately before bedtime may have a beneficial effect.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Marcelina Skajewska, Magdalena Iwaszko, Oliwia Dziewięcka, Szymon Bojanowski, Aleksandra Wojtera, Krzysztof Reszka, Emilia Stachula-Mielczarek, Zuzanna Kordyś-Wyrobek, Alicja Kamińska, Maciej Lazarek
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