21 Aug Boost Your Brain Power: Hydrate Your Way to Happy
|
The beauty of lifestyle medicine is that many adjustments we can make for our health are often quite simple. Keeping hydrated is crucial for both physical and mental health. Dehydration can have significant negative effects on your body, and your brain is particularly vulnerable. Without sufficient hydration, your brain’s performance (and your productivity!) declines. The human brain is made up of around 75-85% water, which is important for its many functions: energy, thought and memory processes, and production of hormones and neurotransmitters.
Many of us may underestimate how much water we actually need, whether due to busyness, complacency, or simply assuming we’re drinking enough. However, a surprising number of people aren’t reaching the hydration levels necessary for optimal brain and body function. Research published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition shows that even a 2% drop in hydration can impair brain function. Symptoms of dehydration may include:
A separate study found that individuals who drank water before taking a cognitive test had a 14% faster reaction time compared to those who didn’t hydrate. Additionally, dehydrated participants experienced more confusion and tension. So, how much water should you be drinking daily to keep your brain at its best? While the common recommendation has been 8 cups a day, newer guidelines from the Institute of Medicine (IOM) suggest about 74 ounces (roughly 9 cups) for women and 101 ounces (approximately 13 cups) for men. Certain groups, such as infants, children, older adults, people with chronic illnesses, and those who exercise or work outdoors, are more prone to dehydration and should take extra care to stay hydrated. As cooler weather approaches, it’s easy to forget about hydration since we’re less concerned with sweating. However, maintaining proper hydration remains essential, especially during exercise. Sweating depletes your body’s water stores, so it’s important to drink more when working out—especially during intense activity. Here are some tips to help you stay hydrated:
Many people simply don’t like plain water – that’s OK! There are so many delicious ways to stay hydrated beyond plain water.
Fruit-infused water is one of my favorite ways to stay hydrated and feel like I’m treating myself (it’s like getting spa water every day!). Fruits are rich in antioxidants, which help shield our bodies from illness. More importantly, they are a vital source of water, essential for the health of our brain, organs, tissues, and every living cell. This collection of easy recipes is crafted to keep you well-hydrated while inspiring creativity in the kitchen.
. For more tips on enhancing brain function, be sure to check out Build a Better Brain, a special edition of Healthy Housecalls with Angel. Remember! Pay attention to your body’s signals—such as brain fog, slower processing, headaches, or memory issues—as these might be signs that it’s time to drink more water! Want a more personalized approach? Schedule a consultation today to discuss your health concerns and get a personalized plan to start feeling better FAST. Don’t wait—take control of your health and future now.
Want to Start Improving Your Brain Health Today?This special edition of Healthy Housecalls With Angel is all about brain health, giving you the tools to build a healthier brain. Delivered twice a month, this subscriber-only newsletter focuses on functional nutrition to help you make smarter food choices. Here’s what you’ll get:
Imagine how different your life will feel with more focus, a sharper memory and greater productivity. Click the button to say Yes, Angel. I want to build a better brain! .
GET YOUR FREE BONUS e-Book!New subscribers get access to my latest eBook: Build A Better Brain With The MIND Diet. The MIND Diet is designed to optimize overall health and has been shown to benefit brain health in particular! Your MIND Diet ebook includes:
Fit & Functional Nutrition Corner. . This week, I wanted to give you a sneak peek of one of the 30+ delicious fruit-fusion recipes found in Fruit Fusion: Refreshing Recipes for Ultimate Hydration. Watermelon’s high water content makes it a great way to stay hydrated, especially on hot days when you’re sweating. In fact, 92% of watermelon is water, which is more than most people drink in a day!
What’s New in My Health Toolkit.
Gas, bloating, abdominal pain, or fatigue slowing you down?. Food sensitivities are immune-mediated, non-allergenic reactions to food protein antigens, in which antigens bind to antibodies and form an antigen-antibody immune complex. This process can also evoke systemic immune responses. Symptoms of food sensitivities are often delayed and hard to pinpoint or detect. Vibrant’s Food Sensitivity Tests are blood panels that detect sensitivities to up to 209 different foods depending on the panel ordered. The panels assess different immune responses to whole, raw, water-soluble proteins that are commonly consumed to determine an individual’s risk for negative food reactions. By analyzing different immune reactions to various food proteins, you can gain a fuller understanding of not only if you have food sensitivities but also how these foods may be affecting your body. .
We Want to Hear from You! With millions of people around the world we know there are lots of stories of how small changes in lifestyle led to great success. We’re sure you have one of those stories! Take a moment to share your story and get the chance to be showcased in our new Reader Spotlight right here and on our blog. Send us your story in the comments and we’ll also include it in an upcoming copy of our newsletter! Let’s connect! |
No Comments