How often do you drink water and how serious do you think this is to your brain function? Well you should know that it takes only 2% dehydration to affect your attention, memory and other cognitive skills
The average human body is 60 percent water. Your body uses water to perform a multitude of functions, including: regulating body temperature, lubricating joints, protecting organs, flushing out waste, carrying nutrients and oxygen to the cells and dissolving minerals and nutrients.
If you do not replenish your body’s water supply by drinking plenty of fluids and you become dehydrated, your body will be unable to perform its normal functions including attention and memory.
Dehydration affects sodium and electrolyte levels in the body, which has also been linked to cognitive changes.
There is limited literature available on how hydration affects human cognitive function, but the brain function is most likely affected by dehydration as well as short-term memory and attention, says Laura Defina MD, President and Chief Executive Officer of The cooper Institute.
It isn’t uncommon to see a marathon runner complete the race, only to receive medical treatment after becoming confused and disoriented. This is caused by a loss of sodium and electrolytes due to dehydration from strenuous exercise and heavy sweating.
Being dehydrated by just 2% impairs performance in tasks that require attention, psychomotor, and immediate memory skills, as well as assessment of the subjective state.
In contrast, the performance of long-term and working memory tasks and executive functions is more preserved, especially if the cause of dehydration is moderate physical exercise.