Progression of human subjective perceptions during euhydration, mild dehydration, and drinking

Lawrence E Armstrong; Gabrielle E W Giersch; Abigail T Colburn; Virgilio Lopez; Yasuki Sekiguchi; Colleen X Muñoz; Elaine C Lee

doi:10.1016/j.physbeh.2020.113211

Progression of human subjective perceptions during euhydration, mild dehydration, and drinking

Physiol Behav. 2021 Feb 1:229:113211. doi: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2020.113211. Epub 2020 Oct 23.

Authors

Lawrence E Armstrong¹, Gabrielle E W Giersch², Abigail T Colburn³, Virgilio Lopez⁴, Yasuki Sekiguchi⁵, Colleen X Muñoz⁶, Elaine C Lee⁷

Affiliations

¹ Human Performance Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, United States; Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, United States. Electronic address: lawrence.armstrong@uconn.edu.
² Human Performance Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, United States. Electronic address: gabrielle.giersch@uconn.edu.
³ Human Performance Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, United States. Electronic address: atcolbur@asu.edu.
⁴ Human Performance Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, United States. Electronic address: virgilio_lopez@brown.edu.
⁵ Human Performance Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, United States. Electronic address: yasuki.sekiguchi@uconn.edu.
⁶ Department of Health Sciences, University of Hartford, West Hartford, CT, 06117 United States. Electronic address: cmunoz@hartford.edu.
⁷ Human Performance Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, United States. Electronic address: elaine.c.lee@uconn.edu.

PMID: 33141048
DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2020.113211

Abstract

Thirst motivates consumption of water necessary for optimal health and cognitive-physiological functions. Other than thirst, little is known about coexisting perceptions and moods that provide information to the brain and participate in body water homeostasis. The purpose of this investigation was to observe perceptions, somatic sensations, and moods during controlled changes of hydration status. During routine daily activities interspersed with laboratory visits, 18 healthy young men (age, 23±3 y; body mass, 80.13±10.61 kg) self-reported hourly ratings (visual analog scales, VAS) of 17 subjective perceptions, across two 24-h periods (ad libitum food and water intake while euhydrated; water restriction with dry food intake [WR]) and during a 30-min rehydration session (R₃₀, 1.46±0.47 L water intake). At the end of WR, body mass loss reached 1.67 kg (2.12%). Distinct perceptions were identified during euhydration, WR and immediately after R₃₀. Starting approximately 4 h after WR began (body mass loss of ∼0.5%), perceptual changes included progressively intensifying ratings of thirst, mouth dryness, desire for water, and pleasantness of drinking. In comparison, immediately after R₃₀, participants reported a reversal of the perceptions observed during WR (above) plus cooler thermal sensation, increased satisfaction, and stomach fullness. These VAS ratings suggested that aversive moods contributed to drinking behavior and supported previously published animal studies. In conclusion, this investigation delineates previously unreported perceptions and their evolution (e.g., appearance, extinction, time course) that motivated drinking during WR and discouraged overdrinking after R₃₀.

Keywords: Body mass; Moods; Motivation; Plasma osmolality; Sensations; Thirst.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adult
Body Water
Dehydration*
Drinking*
Fluid Therapy
Humans
Male
Thirst
Young Adult