Parched, even just a little? You’re paying for it

As someone who’s in a constant state of dehydration (I know I don’t drink enough water or eat enough quenching foods — except for this week when I’ve had boatloads of chicken soup, tea and OJ in my efforts to get rid of a cold — achoo!), this study’s findings caught my eye (and maybe will get me to sip a little more):

Even a state of mild dehydration (defined as 1.5 percent loss of  normal water volume in the body) can affect your mood, energy and clear-thinking abilities. The women who took part in the study experienced headaches, fatigue and difficulty concentrating when mildly dehydrated, and they perceived tasks as more difficult.

Fatigue? Check. Concentration issues? Check. My new resolution: drink more water. Starting by adding one cup a day…

(Water bottles, Bobble)

Leave a Comment February 21, 2012

Drop extra lbs and gain better memory

As if looking and feeling great weren’t enough reward, researchers have now discovered that losing weight is also linked to improving your memory.

The findings, which are soon to be published in Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases, found that bariatric patients improved from slightly impaired memory and concentration to a normal level 12 weeks after surgery. It’s thought that certain risk factors linked to being overweight (such as high blood pressure and sleep apnea) cause some damage to the brain that is somewhat reversible–so eliminate those risk factors…and it makes sense that memory and concentration improve.

Extra motivation to get healthier!

Leave a Comment April 13, 2011