Losing just 2 percent of the water in your body (mild dehydration), can impair your cognitive performance, attentiveness, short-term memory and may affect decision-making ability. These symptoms, which affect your ability to think, are often collectively described as “brain fog”, a non-medical, colloquial term.
Prolonged dehydration causes brain cells to shrink in size and mass, a condition common in many elderly who have been dehydrated for years. Lack of mental clarity, sometimes referred to as “brain fog.”
This can be caused by overworking, lack of sleep, stress, and spending too much time on the computer. On a cellular level, brain fog is believed to be caused by high levels inflammation and changes to hormones that determine your mood, energy and focus.
Therefore, if water levels are too low, our brain cells cannot function properly, leading to cognitive problems. The brains of dehydrated adults show signs of increased neuronal activation when performing cognitively engaging tasks, indicating that their brains are working harder than normal to complete the task [1].
A recent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study has shown that dehydration due to restricted fluid intake over a 16‐h period leads to reduction in total brain volume, an effect that can be reversed following acute rehydration [Duning et al., 2005].
Drinking Clean Water Helps Keep Brain Fog Away
From boosting happiness and mood to enhancing concentration, focus, and memory, proper hydration helps us think clearly and feel great.
When you're dehydrated, your brain and other tissues in your body shrink (contract). As your brain shrinks, it pulls away from the skull, puts pressure on nerves and causes pain. Even mild dehydration can lead to a headache.
Rehydrating Your Body
It's recommended to drink at least 64 ounces of water every day. You can also receive the water you need from other beverages, fruits, and vegetables. Drinking coffee and tea in moderation can help contribute to hydration. Caffeine, however, can be extremely dehydrating.
Losing body water can lead to confusion and disorientation and signify severe dehydration. What to do: If you lose focus, try drinking a glass of water. If confusion starts worsening or you become disoriented, seek immediate medical attention.
Signs of fatigue, confusion or anger
A study from the University of Connecticut's Human Performance Laboratory found that even mild dehydration can alter a person's mood, energy and ability to think clearly.
A deficiency in several nutrients could potentially contribute to brain fog, including vitamin D, vitamin B12, iron, and omega-3 fatty acids. Low levels of magnesium, vitamin C, and choline may also cause brain fog, but more research is needed.
Brain fog can be a symptom of a nutrient deficiency, sleep disorder, bacterial overgrowth from overconsumption of sugar, depression, or even a thyroid condition. Other common brain fog causes include eating too much and too often, inactivity, not getting enough sleep, chronic stress, and a poor diet.
Hydrating: in addition to a healthy diet, hydration may help reduce brain fog. Many important electrolytes such as potassium, magnesium and sodium are required to maintain proper cellular function. These minerals ensure that fluid is kept inside the cells where it is needed.
Unlike other areas of the body, the brain has no way to store water. For this reason, it's important to ensure you're hydrating adequately throughout the day. The general guideline to follow is one cup of water for every 20 pounds of body weight.
As a conclusion, dehydration had negative effects on vigor, esteem-related affect, short-term memory, and attention. Rehydration after water supplementation alleviated fatigue and improved TMD, short-term memory, attention, and reaction.
feeling thirsty. dark yellow, strong-smelling pee. peeing less often than usual. feeling dizzy or lightheaded.
Research shows that milk is one of the best beverages for hydration, even better than water or sports drinks. Researchers credit milk's natural electrolytes, carbohydrates, and protein for its effectiveness.
Water. While it likely comes as no surprise, drinking water is most often the best and cheapest way to stay hydrated and rehydrate. Unlike many other beverages, water contains no added sugars or calories, making it ideal to drink throughout the day or specifically when you need to rehydrate, such as after a workout.
Water is your best bet for everyday hydration, since it is free of sugar, calories, and caffeine. All of your daily food and beverages contribute to your daily fluid needs.
If you are experiencing severe dehydration, you might need up to 24 hours and intravenous fluids to relieve dehydration. The cause of dehydration also matters. For example, people with kidney disease may suffer from chronic dehydration because their kidneys can't necessarily retain enough water.
Vitamin D can improve brain health, reducing symptoms of brain fog. The brain treats vitamin D as an antioxidant, leading to improved cognitive function, more melatonin production, and hormone control.