Water: Its Importance and How It Affects the Brain

By: Vivian Hsu

The recommended water intake per day is from four to six cups of water. In the United States, 75 percent of American adults suffer from chronic dehydration, only drinking two and a half cups of water each day. Water is essential to our everyday health. It helps our cells to bring in nutrients, maintain homeostasis, get rid of wastes, and help our brains function. Additionally, our brains are made up of around 75 percent water. But what happens when you stop or start drinking more water?

When you begin to stop drinking water, your brain may suffer from short-term memory loss and have more trouble with math computations. As you prolong your dehydration, your brain cells start to shrink, resulting in a “brain fog” and fatigue. Moreover, when your brain cells start to decrease in mass and size, it puts pressure on your nerves, causing headaches. This slows down your reaction times and memory recall, a common occurrence in the elderly. Additionally, since your brain is unable to hold water and you are constantly losing water, it is vital to stay hydrated. When extremely dehydrated, it may lead to chronic brain damage and even in severe cases, death. However, as you begin to drink more water, your brain cells can more efficiently “communicate” with each other. The increase in water intake helps to flush out toxins and wastes that are impairing the brain and its function. The water increases blood flow and oxygen to the brain, allowing our brains to improve concentration and cognition, and decreasing the likelihood of dementia. Researchers have noted that with an increase in water consumption, tension, depression, and confusion decreases!

Ultimately, staying hydrated is a simple yet vital step towards better health. Without water, our brain cells are susceptible to chronic damage and other tissue damage; the likelihood of dementia, fatigue, and depression increases during the early stages of life. Water gives our brains energy to function properly. However, it is important to not drink too much water as it may cause water intoxication. So the next time you feel thirsty, remember that a glass of water could be what you need to help your brain stay energized and healthy throughout the day!