Associations of alkaline water with metabolic risks, sleep quality, muscle strength: A cross-sectional study among postmenopausal women.

Much has been claimed on the health benefits of alkaline water including metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its features with scarcity of scientific evidence. Methods: This cross-sectional comparative study was conducted to determine whether regular consumption of alkaline water confers health advantage on blood metabolites, anthropometric measures, sleep quality and muscle strength among postmenopausal women. A total of 304 community-dwelling postmenopausal women were recruited with comparable proportion of regular drinkers of alkaline water and non-drinkers. Participants were ascertained on dietary intake, lifestyle factors, anthropometric and biochemical measurements. Diagnosis of MetS was made according to Joint Interim Statement definition. A total of 47.7% of the participants met MS criteria, with a significant lower proportion of MetS among the alkaline water drinkers. The observed lower fasting plasma glucose (F(1,294) = 24.20, p = 0.025, partial η2 = 0.435), triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein concentration ratio (F(1,294) = 21.06, p = 0.023, partial η2 = 0.360), diastolic blood pressure (F(1,294) = 7.85, p = 0.046, partial η2 = 0.258) and waist circumference (F(1,294) = 9.261, p = 0.038, partial η2 = 0.263) in the alkaline water drinkers could be considered as favourable outcomes of regular consumption of alkaline water. In addition, water alkalization improved duration of sleep (F(1,294) = 32.05, p = 0.007, partial η2 = 0.451) and handgrip strength F(1,294) = 27.51, p = 0.011, partial η2 = 0.448). Low density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration (F(1,294) = 1.772, p = 0.287, partial η2 = 0.014), body weight (F(1,294) = 1.985, p = 0.145, partial η2 = 0.013) and systolic blood pressure (F(1,294) = 1.656, p = 0.301, partial η2 = 0.010) were comparable between the two different water drinking behaviours. In conclusion, drinking adequate of water is paramount for public health with access to good quality drinking water remains a critical issue. While consumption of alkaline water may be considered as a source of easy-to implement lifestyle to modulate metabolic features, sleep duration and muscle strength, further studies are warranted for unravelling the precise mechanism of alkaline water consumption on the improvement and prevention of MetS and its individual features, muscle strength and sleep duration as well as identification of full spectrum of individuals that could benefit from its consumption.

Dietary Quality, Sleep Quality and Muscle Mass Predicted Frailty among Chinese Postmenopausal Women in Malaysia.

The older adult population is growing faster than any age group, which increases their risk of frailty. Studies conducted among older adult are relatively scarce in Malaysia, especially among Chinese postmenopausal women, who have the longest life expectancy. Thus, the present study aimed to determine the prevalence of frailty and its associated factors among Chinese postmenopausal women. A total of 220 eligible respondents were recruited, with information on sociodemographic background, comorbidities, dietary intake and lifestyle behaviour were obtained using a structured questionnaire, while anthropometry indicators were assessed according to standard protocol. Fasting blood was withdrawn for the analysis of serum 25(OH)D. Multinomial logistic regression was used to determine factors that predict pre-frailty and frailty. Prevalence of pre-frailty and prevalence of frailty were 64.5 and 7.3%, respectively, and most of the respondents presented with weak handgrip strength. Pre-frailty was prevalent among the younger population. Dietary quality was unsatisfactory among the respondents, and the majority of them presented with a high percentage of body fat. An increased dietary quality index (DQI), poor sleep and low muscle mass were factors that contributed to frailty. In conclusion, nutritional factors should be considered in developing health-related policies and programs in reducing and delaying the onset of frailty.