We all have days when we feel a little out of it. We can't concentrate for extended periods of time and we have trouble processing and learning new information. There can be many different causes for our periodic inattention, and dehydration can be a major factor when it comes to times of diminished concentration. It is vitally important to make sure that you are properly hydrated throughout the day to ensure that you keep your brain functioning at its peak.
As your body burns fluids throughout the day, many of your systems suffer from diminished ability. Energy levels can plummet, physical endurance wanes and your brain begins to slow down, causing inattention and reduced learning abilities. We're not even talking about serious dehydration, even mild dehydration can diminish your concentration.
There are a few signs that may signal that dehydration is reducing your brain's ability to function at its best.
- Dizziness or Lightheadedness
- Irritability
- Lapse in Memory
- Slow Motor Function Coordination
- Fatigue
- Increased Sensitivity to Pain
Some of these signs can range from mild to severe. An early warning sign of dehydration can be the feeling known as brain fog, where you may feel slightly lightheaded, forget a few steps in a complex process or feel more tired than you should. These signs come long before the physical signs of dehydration, so it's very important not to ignore your fluid intake should you begin to feel any sort of mental fatigue.
Unchecked, these symptoms can get worse as the day goes on. You may forget the passwords you use constantly or forget instructions that were given to you mere moments earlier. You may feel extremely fatigued to the point where even simple tasks seem impossible. In some cases, body aches and a decreased pain threshold may make simple actions a chore.
Mild dehydration can even affect your ability to learn. If you're a student or a professional who is required to retain new knowledge constantly, staying fully hydrated will actually allow your brain to absorb and retain more information as well as stay focused on tasks for long periods of time.
Proper hydration will keep you focused and keep your mental faculties in top form. It's very important to remember that the physical signs of dehydration may not be readily apparent. Even losing two-percent of your bodily fluids can impact cognitive performance without impairing physical performance. The effects of dehydration can be escalated if your work in hot conditions, perform physically demanding activities or are exposed to a high-stress environment. So how do you prevent mild dehydration if the symptoms are not readily apparent?
A healthy mind requires a regimented hydration routine. Drink water at regular intervals. The average woman requires 11.5 cups of water a day while men need slightly more at 15.5 cups, but just drinking the right amount in a 24-hour period isn't enough. Overhydrating can actually reduce the amount of fluids your body absorbs as much can be processed out of the body before it's utilized. A regular hydration schedule is key to making sure your brain absorbs enough fluids to keep you alert.
Drinking water is simply not enough to prevent the loss of attention and reduced learning capacity. Stress and learning cause your brain to use a lot more than simple fluids. During the day, your body processes vitamins, electrolytes and minerals that don't naturally occur in ordinary water. Enhancing your hydration routine with a sports drink can help your body replenish these vitally important ingredients.
TapouT is the only mainstream sports performance beverage that contains all five electrolytes, the natural sodium required to help your body retain fluids and stay hydrated as well as the vitamins necessary to improve cognitive function. Vitamins are essential for energy and alertness, and TapouT sports beverages include the following vitamins to improve the performance of both mind and body:
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
- Vitamins B2, B3, B5 and B12
Our regular TapouT beverage comes in a delicious Citrus Kick flavor. It has all five essential electrolytes: sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium and magnesium. These electrolytes will replenish your body and keep you focused. Since fluid retention is key to proper hydration, TapouT has been formulated to include 240mg of natural sodium, the most of any leading sports performance beverage brand. Sodium allows your body to absorb fluids more efficiently and helps maintain hydration levels longer.
If you're on a low-sugar diet or watching your calorie intake, TapouT's Cherry-Lemonade Blast contains no sugars and only 10 calories. Our low-calorie Cherry-Lemonade Blast contains the same five electrolytes and nine vitamins as our regular Citrus Kick flavor.
