Hydration and Mental Health 

Are you having issues with brain fog? Are you having trouble remembering things lately? If you have noticed these and other cognitive issues, the possible cause may surprise you. In our busy lives, often living in a digital world, we don’t drink enough water. According to the NIH, the majority of the population doesn’t drink enough water daily. Because of this lack of hydration, a host of mental health issues can happen, so let’s take a deeper look at hydration and mental health.

Proper Hydration Helps Cognitive Function

Most of your body is made up of water, including your brain, so it makes sense that your cognitive function will suffer if you don’t consume enough water to stay properly hydrated. In multiple studies, dehydration has been proven to impair memory and cognitive function. So, if you are having trouble with short-term memory or reasoning, there is a strong possibility that you are not staying properly hydrated. Try consuming more water daily, and see if your brain fog disappears and your short and long-term memory improves. Adequate daily water consumption is about 12 cups for women and about 16 cups for men. You may find that not only will your cognitive function return to normal with enough water, but it may actually improve.

Hydration Can Help with Anxiety and Depression

If you are suffering from anxiety and depression, studies suggest that staying hydrated can improve the symptoms of anxiety and depression. It’s a double-edged sword. When you don’t stay hydrated, your brain will have less energy and will also produce less serotonin, which is a significant cause of mood issues. Why? Because without enough water your brain won’t produce an amino acid known as tryptophan which in turn makes it harder for your body to produce serotonin. Known as a “feel good” bio-chemical, serotonin regulates mood. If you want to decrease your symptoms of depression, drinking more water is an easy way to do it.

Drinking more water can also help with symptoms of anxiety. If you are dehydrated, it puts stress on your body, which in turn stimulates your adrenal glands. When your adrenal glands are active, a substance called cortisol is created in your system. Too much cortisol in your system triggers a fight or flight reaction in your body and causes a faster heartbeat and an anxious feeling. Remember, if you are suffering from depression and anxiety, it is best to consult a physician, but drinking more water may improve your symptoms.

Hydration Can Help Stave Off Dementia

If you want to reduce the possibility of developing one of the hardest effects of ageing, dementia, then drinking more water will help. Dementia is a neurovascular condition characterized by memory loss and decreased cognitive function, which is hard on those who have it and their families. Studies have shown a relationship between those who don’t consume enough water on a daily basis and dementia sufferers. Remember, as you age, to drink enough water to stave off dementia.

Hydrating with Healthier Water

If you are hydrating to improve your general health, ensure that you do it with water that doesn’t contain a host of contaminants or microbes.

You can reduce toxins and bacteria with a water filtration system. Various types of water filtration systems are available to suit the kind of water issues you may have. Consult with a water specialist to find out what is in your water.

Let us Ensure That You Hydrate with Healthy Water

At Atlantic Coast Water Clinic, we know how important clean and healthy water is. We can help you analyze your water and then install a filtration system in your home to remove contaminants. So, if you want to stay hydrated with clean water, contact us today.