Stay Hydrated

Nutrition | 3.25.18 | By Shilo Zeller, BSC.

We’ve all head it a dozen times, we need water in order to function. But why is it so important when it comes to our brain health?

Our brains are about 73% water, which is why it is imperative that we stay hydrated. Brain cells need a certain balance of fluids (water) and other nutrients to function optimally. If our body is lacking water, this balance gets thrown off and cognitively, our brains just can’t keep up. By staying hydrated, we are able to stay more attentive and maintain concentration.

Further to that, water prevents mental fatigue and helps keep stress levels at bay. When we are dehydrated, the gray matter within our brains start to shrink and the volume of the brain can decrease. This puts extra stress on our bodies as it tries to compensate for lost function.

How much water should we be having? A good rule of thumb is aim to drink enough water to equal half your body weight in ounces (e.g. if you weigh 150 lbs, then drink 75 oz of water per day). It is also important to have water first thing in the morning. While we sleep, our brain is going through a period of (likely) 6-8 hours of dehydration.

Need a way to stay on top of having a drink in the morning? You can use one of our insulated water bottles to keep your water cool on your nightstand so that first thing in the morning, you can have a refreshing drink of water!