Water is essential to health and well-being. But do you know the effects of not drinking enough water? A recent study published in the Journal of Nutrition demonstrates that there is a connection between dehydration and a number of ill effects, as reported in Time Magazine…
The small study, published in the Journal of Nutrition, tested mood, concentration and mental skills in 25 women who either were given enough fluids to remain optimally hydrated or were induced into a mildly dehydrated state. Dehydration was achieved through either exercise alone or by using both exercise and a diuretic drug that increased urination.
The women’s mood and cognitive abilities were tested during exercise and at rest under the different hydration conditions. On most mental tests, the women’s state of hydration didn’t affect performance, but being dehydrated did cause headache symptoms, loss of focus, a sense of fatigue and low mood both at rest and during exercise. The dehydration induced in the study was not severe: it was around 1% lower than optimal.
They offer a telltale clue to help – in case monitoring your own mood wasn’t enough…
To check your own hydration state, peek at the color of your urine: if it’s darker rather than nearly clear, you need more water.
Water is often a neglected ingredient in a healthy diet. It’s why we’ve made it one of the highlights in our new Countdown to Health 54321+8 product line, which promotes:
- 5 servings of fruits and vegetables
- 4 glasses of water
- 3 good laughs
- 2 hours of screen time (or less)
- 1 hour of physical activity
- 8 hours (or more) of sleep
These portions are for kids – but when you are thinking about kids, but sure to think about your own needs too. It’s important to Think Healthy for everyone!
