A new study found that hydration is key when it comes to managing stress. 

People who drink less than seven cups, or 1.5 liters, of water per day have a cortisol response to stress that is 50% higher than those who meet water intake recommendations. 

Researchers at Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) published the study in the Journal of Applied Physiology.

WEARABLE HYDRATION MONITOR COULD HELP PREVENT HEATSTROKE, SCIENTISTS SAY

Out of 62 healthy males and females, 32 participants were selected with both habitual low fluid intake and habitual high fluid intake.

Subjects who typically drank less than 1.5 liters of fluid per day were considered the "low-fluid" group, while the "high-fluid" group comprised people who drank the recommended amount of two liters for women and 2.5 for men. 

The participants’ fluid intake was monitored over seven days by testing the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) and hydration markers with blood and urine.  

The study found that drinking too little water increased stress-related health issues for both men and women. 

Professor Neil Walsh, study lead at LJMU's School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, said in a press release that keeping a water bottle nearby during stress-related times can have potential benefits for your long-term health.

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"Cortisol is the body’s primary stress hormone and exaggerated cortisol reactivity to stress is associated with an increased risk of heart disease, diabetes and depression," said Walsh.

A study team member, Dr. Daniel Kashi, said in a release that "both groups felt equally anxious and experienced similar increases in heart rate during the stress test."

He added that "only the ‘low-fluid’ group showed a significant increase in saliva cortisol in response to the stress test." 

 "Although the low-fluid group did not report being thirstier than the high fluid group, they had darker and more concentrated urine, clear signs of poor hydration," said Kashi.

"An important observation was that poor hydration was associated with greater cortisol reactivity to the stress test. Exaggerated cortisol reactivity to stress has been associated with poor long-term health," Kashi added. 

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Long-term dehydration can lead to more serious health issues such as kidney damage and failure, anxiety and depression, heart problems, and diabetes, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Dehydration triggers the release of the vasopressin hormone, which puts pressure on the kidneys, making it harder to concentrate urine and manage electrolyte balance.  

"Vasopressin also acts on the brain’s stress-response cent[er]" influencing where it can release of cortisol," according to the LJMU release. 

The release added, "This dual role [of] vasopressin helps maintain blood volume and electrolyte balance but also increases cortisol."

While researchers found that water intake recommendations should be followed, additional research and further long-term studies are needed.

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Researchers suggest that monitoring urine color is a good way for people to check their hydration status.

Light yellow urine color typically indicates good hydration. 

"Being hydrated may help your body manage stress more effectively," he said.

The U.S. Open is the final Grand Slam tournament of each tennis season, and 21-year-old Ethan Quinn can speak for every American when he says he loves being able to compete on home soil after a long year of traveling.

But, of course, tennis is an individual sport, and each player in the tournament is battling to be the last one standing, including every American facing compatriots. 

Still, Quinn — entering his third U.S. Open with his highest career ranking at No. 84 — explained how tight-knit that group is despite the competitive environment.

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The United States led all nations in main draw entries, with 30 players in the men’s and women’s singles fields combined.

"I think we all take a lot of pride in the fact that there are so many of us here," Quinn told Fox News Digital, while also discussing how important Orgain is in helping him meet his protein goals to stay in shape for such a demanding tournament. "I think this is one of the years where there are the most Americans in the main draw. We all take pride in that because it feels like a community."

Before traveling to New York, Quinn competed at the Cincinnati Open the previous week. Though he wasn’t able to make a run for the trophy, he said he loved seeing the camaraderie among his compatriots in the locker room.

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"There were like six of us all next to each other, and it’s really fun when you’re all together," he explained. "It’s something I look up to with Reilly [Opelka], Taylor [Fritz], Frances [Tiafoe], and Tommy [Paul]. They all grew up together, they all know each other. They’ve basically known each other for 15 years. You look in the locker room and they’re best friends, and they all push each other. They’re best friends, but when they play each other, they go all out because they don’t want to lose."

"They also want to be the best American. I know Taylor prides himself on being the number one American—he hates losing to other Americans. I, personally, hate losing to other Americans as well."

As Quinn put it, beating "a lot of the Americans" means you’re working your way up the ATP rankings, which is always good. Tournaments like the U.S. Open can also put budding stars like Quinn on the map for fans who don’t follow tennis as closely throughout the year.

"I think being here at the U.S. Open is something we’re all really excited about—something where we all want to push each other. We all want to be the last American standing. It’s just a fun tournament. The environment is unlike any other in the world. There’s no other tournament that matches this energy," Quinn said.

Quinn will begin his U.S. Open men’s singles journey on Sunday afternoon against Switzerland’s Jérôme Kym. And while he knows he needs to look within himself to move on to the second round and beyond, he also knows he has fellow Americans in his corner.

"Tennis is an individual sport, so you usually have to just rely on yourself," he said. "Going through college, I was used to having a team. When you get to the pro level, you really have to figure out once you leave college, ‘All right, who’s my team?’ Having this many Americans who support each other—it’s kind of like our own little college team.

"It’s something we all really appreciate. It’s exciting, and it’s a fun way to go about our lives."

PROTEIN PRIORITY

For a tournament like the U.S. Open, being properly prepared to make a run requires precise attention to things off the court as well as on. 

One of those is proper fuel, which Quinn thanks Orgain’s 30-gram organic protein shakes for. While he said he loves taking on dense meals, like smashing two burgers and a milkshake, having the convenience of Orgain has been something he can’t go without during his season. 

"I’m a big believer in there’s not too much protein [in your diet]," he said. "When I’m fueling for dinner, I’m having a big steak, I’m having as much protein as I possibly can with what I’m eating. But then, I’m also having two Orgain protein shakes a day, especially when I’m in a big training block. Leading up this week, I’m on the road. 

"It’s been a chaotic week with obligations and obviously training, physios and everytihng like that. Having the convenience of just grabbing an Orgain protein shake – it’s 30 grams of protein, five grams of BCAAs. Being able to grab that, get on the road and drink it on the way to the courts, it’s super easy. It tastes good. It’s real food ingredients, so I know I’m not harming myself. I’m not risking anything, and I think that’s my favorite part of it."

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