A single arm 3-week hydration intervention will be employed where participants increase their water consumption to 2 (F) or 2.5(M) liters per day which is approximately 70% of the AI for daily water consumption. Pre-test and follow-up measures of fecal microbiota, urinary hydration status, cognitive function, circulating markers, and dietary intake will be assessed at baseline and at 3-week follow up via laboratory visits.
The central hypothesis is that improving hydration through increased water consumption will change the relative abundance of mucolytic bacteria found in the stool. Therefore the specific aims are 1) to quantify intervention effects on fecal microbiota relative abundance and plasma lipopolysaccharide binding protein, 2) observe the effects of the intervention on bowel frequency and signs/symptoms of gastrointestinal stress, and 3) to investigate relations between executive function and hydration status.