12/10/2024
Your Brain Literally Sags When You’re Dehydrated:
The brain is made up of 80% water, so when you don't drink enough water, your brain tissue can shrink in size and mass. This shrinkage can lead to a number of issues.
Even 1% dehydration can cause a 5% decrease in cognitive function.
Dehydration can also increase the amount of effort your brain needs to perform cognitive tasks.
For example, one study found that dehydration increased the brain's blood-oxygen-level-dependent response during an executive function task.
Fortunately, the effects of dehydration on the brain can be reversed by rehydrating with fluids and electrolytes. However, issues may be chronic in individuals (often the elderly) who have been dehydrated for years.
