Dehydration – The #1 Cause Of Brain Fog
Dehydration occurs when someone loses so much fluid (mostly water) that their body can’t function normally. So, more water moves out of the cells and body than is taken in. While infants and children are at the greatest risk of experiencing dehydration, adults still have significant risk factors, too.
By Greg Montoya
Our bodies are constantly adjusting the balance between water, electrolytes, salt losses and fluid intake. When we don’t consume enough water, our bodies become dehydrated and out of balance. Thus, eventually having detrimental effects on your body and mind. Symptoms of long-term/severe dehydration include high cholesterol, rapid heart rate, low blood pressure, dry skin and premature aging. Dehydration also slows the metabolism.
Varying Levels of Dehydration
The majority of physicians separate dehydration into three phases: mild, moderate and severe. In most cases, mild and moderate dehydration can be addressed by drinking water or fluids that contain electrolytes. These are lost during activities like exercising. Mild dehydration is often as low a rate as 1.5-2% dehydration. This is equivalent of sweating out about a liter of water (approximately 30 minutes of exercise). You probably won’t even feel thirsty at this point, but you’ll probably feel the effects. Studies have shown that even being mildly dehydrated can make it difficult to perform cognitive tasks.
Dehydration and Brain Fog
There are several things that can cause brain fog. For example, medication, pregnancy, menopause, stress, chronic fatigue syndrome and a diminished immune system. What you may not know is that dehydration can cause brain fog, too. And brain fog caused by dehydration creates a feeling of confusion. Thus, making it difficult to focus or to translate thoughts into words, and a long list of other problems.
Water is the Lifeblood of the Brain
Water is essential for supplying the brain with nutrients and for removing toxins. The brain is approximately 75% water. The exchange of toxins and nutrients are more efficient when the brain is hydrated. This ensures mental alertness and improved concentration. When the brain is engaged, operating on a full reserve of water, we think faster, and are more focused. Also, we experience greater creativity and mental clarity.
Symptoms of Dehydration
Timely treating these dehydration symptoms reduces the chance of more severe problems:
- Dry mouth
- Fatigue
- Decreased urine output
- Dry skin
- Dizziness
- Low volume
- Dark yellowish urine
- Low blood pressure
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Brain fog
Shrinks the Brain’s Volume
Dehydration causes your brain to shrink in volume. This affects a variety of mental processes, including memory, concentration, and diminished cognitive performance. Mindy Millard-Stafford, Director of the Physiology Lab at the Georgia Institute of Technology, co-authored a study. It found that physical performance is reduced at a threshold of 25% of body mass. Especially if it’s the result of exercising in a warm environment. The dehydration can lead to impairment of tasks that require motor coordination, attention to detail, and executive function. This includes things like math, proofreading grammatical reasoning and map recognition.
Dehydration can Impair Driving Ability
Dehydration affects cognitive functions…meaning this will inhibit how you drive. Research has shown that dehydrated motorists made twice the number of mistakes (similar to driving drunk) during a 2-hour drive in comparison to hydrated drivers.
The good news is that drinking 16 ounces of water a day can raise your metabolic rate by as much as 30%. As a result, it will improve athletic performance. In as little as 20 minutes of drinking water, other symptoms can be reversed, including dehydration-induced headaches. Cold water absorbs 20% faster than room temperature water. What this means is that drinking cold water increases the speed of restoration.
How to Stay Hydrated
- One of the best things you can do for your health is to drink 8-10 ounces of water first thing in the morning. Do this on an empty stomach. Then wait 30-45 minutes before consuming any food.
- Carry a water bottle (reusable) with you all the time and refill it throughout the day.
- Infuse water with fruit, herbs or vegetables for a healthy alternative to sugary drinks.
- If you prefer carbonated beverages, go for unsweetened sparkling water. You can add a squeeze of lime, lemon, etc. for a favor boost.
- Keep forgetting to drink water? Set an alarm on your phone or use an app to remind you to drink water every day.
- Is it hunger or thirst? If you feel hungry, before eating something, try drinking a glass of water. After drinking, if you’re still hungry, get something healthy to eat.
Foods High in Water Content
Eating fruits and vegetables high in water content help you stay hydrated. This also ensures you meet the recommended 7 to 9 fruit and vegetable servings a day. Strawberries and watermelon contain about 92% water per volume as do cantaloupe and grapefruit. Vegetables like lettuce and cucumber are 96% water. Celery, radish and zucchini contain 95% water.
Drinking coconut water is one of the best ways to hydrate your body; it’s loaded with electrolytes that prevent dehydration! Read more about the benefits of drinking coconut water: https://agelessimpact.com/coconut-water-benefits/
While we all know how important it is to stay hydrated, doing so can be challenging at times. The important thing to remember is how essential staying hydrated is to good health and brain function. That should be motivation enough!
Drinking 1-2 great tasting E3 Energy Multivitamin Drink Mix daily is a great way to ensure your body stays hydrated, reduces brain fog and gives you your daily dose of healthy vitamins and electrolytes. Go here to learn more about E3.
REFERENCES: