Denton County Living Well Magazine Fall 2014 | Page 17

Effects of
Dehydration
on the Body
and Brain

T

Courtesy The Cooper Institute

 These brain-related effects of dehydration reinforces the
fact that hydration is essential, not just for physical function, but intellectual and mental function.

he average human body is 60% water. Your
body uses water to perform a multitude of
functions, including: regulating body temperature, lubricating joints, protecting organs, flushing out waste, carrying nutrients
It is important to keep yourself hydrated, particularly if
and oxygen to the cells and dissolving minerals and nutri- you live in a hot climate, like Texas. Dr. DeFina suggests
ents. If you do not replenish your body’s water supply by these tips to keep hydrated:
drinking plenty of fluids and you become dehydrated, your
•  Make an effort to hydrate
body will be unable to perform its normal functions incl Ց