Although a lot has been said and written about the need of maintaining proper hydration of the body by consuming water on a regular basis, the significance of water consumption for the brain is not as often acknowledged.

Just like the rest of the body, the brain need nutrients in the form of oxygen, water, and energy in order to function properly.

Unfortunately, the majority of us drink water far too infrequently and consume an insufficient amount even when we do, we do not breathe effectively, and we allow our blood sugar levels to fluctuate erratically, like a rollercoaster.

The significance of water to the functioning of the brain

The human brain is around 85% water, and maintaining a steady quantity of water in the brain is essential for proper brain function. It is impossible for the brain to function correctly without water because water is what maintains the activity of the brain’s signals. If you don’t drink enough water, the delicate balance of water and other elements in your brain will become uneven, which will result in the brain cells losing their ability to function properly.

It is very difficult to concentrate or focus our attention on something for more than a few seconds at a time when our brains become dehydrated as a result of us not drinking enough water and allowing them to become dehydrated. Dehydration makes it difficult for us to retrieve information from both our short-term and long-term memories.

It’s a very unsettling fact that dehydration can cause brain tissue to shrink, and that prolonged sweating for just 90 minutes can cause the same amount of brain shrinkage as ageing for a whole year. This is a frightening reality. In addition to that, you will have a momentary loss of cognitive function. In point of fact, there are researchers who believe that Alzheimer’s disease is caused by chronic dehydration of the brain.

Start your day with a lovely big glass of chilled water first thing in the morning before you do anything else. This will ensure that you drink enough water every day and keep that critical organ of yours, your brain, running at optimal levels. This will get the blood flowing and get your metabolism working in the right direction. Carry on like this every couple of hours, even if you’re also drinking beverages like tea, coffee, or juice. Keep in mind that the moment you notice that the colour of your urine is changing, it is a sign that you are becoming dehydrated.

Sources:

Psychology Today

Dr Oz