While it’s no secret that drinking water is beneficial to your health, it may come as a surprise that being dehydrated—or even just feeling a little thirsty—may have a significant impact on cognitive function. We know that doctors recommend drinking eight cups of water a day, but do we really understand the impact dehydration has on our lives?
According to Medical Daily and a recent study led by Dr. Caroline Edmonds, even low levels of dehydration can negatively impact cognitive performance. During the study, 34 participants were asked to not drink water one night and then were tested the following day using the CANTAB, a cognitive assessment tool that consists of a variety of neuropsychological tests. The results indicate that when subjects were given a glass of water immediately prior to the exam, their reaction time improved by approximately 14%. A similar study concluded that participants' performance on a rapid visual information processing task improved when they consumed water, but only when they rated themselves as thirsty before drinking the water.
These are fascinating finds! Although there is still much more research to be done, this provides us with even more proof of how important hydration truly is.
With summer in full swing and temperatures that continue to rise, dehydration poses as much of a threat as ever. Yes, dehydration may have an impact on your ability to process complex information and the speed at which you work, but it can also be extremely dangerous and ruin your vacation. Signs of dehydration include thirst, fatigue, nausea, muscle cramps, and light-headedness. Be sure to check out this article for the low-down on dehydration and how you can stay better hydrated.
This summer, Eldorado Natural Spring Water encourages you to stay informed and in touch with your health. Drinking water may not only boost your metabolism and give your skin a youthful glow; it may also give you that well-deserved promotion you’ve been after—no promises though!
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