Hydration & Mental Performance

Why even small dips in water matter

By the time you feel thirsty, your body has already been losing water for a while. Some studies have associated 1–2% body water loss with dips in attention, working memory, and mood, though the magnitude of these effects appears to vary by task and person.

More details

Your brain is about 75% water, and it's exquisitely sensitive to fluid balance. Research on both athletes and office workers has found that mild dehydration, the kind you might not even notice, leads to more errors on concentration tasks and increased feelings of anxiety. Keeping a water bottle within reach is one of the simplest cognitive upgrades you can make.

Related Science Card

Keep training to unlock

Hydration

Related Research

Ganio, M. S., Armstrong, L. E., Casa, D. J., McDermott, B. P., Lee, E. C., Yamamoto, L. M., Marzano, S., Lopez, R. M., Jimenez, L., Le Bellego, L., Chevillotte, E., & Lieberman, H. R. (2011). Mild dehydration impairs cognitive performance and mood of men. British Journal of Nutrition, 106(10), 1535–1543.