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

Cross‐cultural variation in thirst perception in hot‐humid and hot‐arid environments: Evidence from two small‐scale populations

“…One twin study found that thirst threshold, the plasma osmolality point at which the thirst sensation kicked in, was heritable; but that thirst sensitivity, the slope of the relation between osmolality and thirst, was not (Zerbe et al, 1991). Participants in experimental studies which induced water losses to a hypohydrated state consistently reported higher thirst ratings (Armstrong, Giersch, Colburn, et al, 2021; Carroll et al, 2019). Recent work demonstrated that thirst perceptions are significantly higher beginning prior to the 1%–2% body mass decrease from water restriction generally associated with the thirst response, and that changes in Usg and Posm during water restriction were associated with greater perceptual thirst and pleasantness of drinking water (Armstrong, Giersch, Colburn, et al, 2021).…”

“…Participants in experimental studies which induced water losses to a hypohydrated state consistently reported higher thirst ratings (Armstrong, Giersch, Colburn, et al, 2021; Carroll et al, 2019). Recent work demonstrated that thirst perceptions are significantly higher beginning prior to the 1%–2% body mass decrease from water restriction generally associated with the thirst response, and that changes in Usg and Posm during water restriction were associated with greater perceptual thirst and pleasantness of drinking water (Armstrong, Giersch, Colburn, et al, 2021). However, prior work has indicated that during free access to water, rather than in response to water challenges, body‐fluid variables like plasma osmolality and angiotensin II concentrations did not relate to thirst perceptions but rather were influenced by anticipatory thirst as well as surrounding eating (Phillips, Rolls, Ledingham, & Morton, 1984).…”

“…Thirst is a key central homeostatic feedback system that evolved to tightly regulate body fluid and ensure survival, yet there is a learned aspect to it as well, which may vary by environment (Kenney & Chiu, 2001). To date, the vast majority of studies have examined thirst in Western, educated, industrialized, rich, and democratic (WEIRD) countries and populations (Armstrong, Giersch, Colburn, et al, 2021; Brannigan et al, 2015; Carroll, 2020; Carroll et al, 2019; Kenney & Chiu, 2001; Martens & Westerterp‐Plantenga, 2012; Millard‐Stafford et al, 2012; Phillips, Rolls, Ledingham, Forsling, et al, 1984; Phillips, Rolls, Ledingham, & Morton, 1984; Rolls & Phillips, 1990; Rolls et al, 1982); therefore, much of our understanding is based on research with limited biological and cultural diversity (Gurven & Lieberman, 2020).…”

“…Second, since early life environments may shape exposures to water availability, we tested if season of birth moderated the thirst response to ambient temperature across the dry and humid settings. Drawing on research in WEIRD settings and the animal literature, we hypothesized that thirst would increase with higher urine concentration (Armstrong, Giersch, Colburn, et al, 2021) and hotter temperatures (Kenney & Chiu, 2001), and decrease with age since thirst reportedly declines with age in Western populations (Kenney & Chiu, 2001; Rolls & Phillips, 1990). Furthermore, we hypothesized that season of birth would modify the relationship between the thirst response and ambient temperatures, such that those who experienced in utero water deficits would have less of a thirst response in relation to higher temperatures (used as a proxy of increasing water needs) (Perillan et al, 2008; Ross & Desai, 2005).…”

Rehydration during Endurance Exercise: Challenges, Research, Options, Methods

“…Thus, the phrase dynamic complexity applies to the vast, integrated, brain-wide network of nerve circuits and brain regions that regulate thirst, drinking, body water volume, and fluid concentration [92]. The findings of two recent human studies [93,94] suggest that thirst is one of multiple conscious perceptions and subconscious autonomic responses (Figure 4) that evolve simultaneously during dehydration and rehydration to influence drinking behavior. Simply stated, the internal motivation to consume water is influenced by multiple factors that reinforce the perception of thirst.…”