Your brain runs on this
Sodium: The most underrated Element for proper brain function
Neuro Athlete,
While hydration is important for proper brain function but there is something else that is more important than drinking enough water.
Drinking enough water won’t help unless you have this...
The neurons in the brain need this to perform any task.
To understand this in a systematic way, First, we will discover how neurons communicate with each other and with muscles.
Neurons communicate with each other and with muscles through electrical and chemical signals.
And those electrical and chemical signals are essential for proper brain function including learning, memory, and the regulation of mood and behavior.
In order to produce these electrical signals, you need electrolytes…and they are generated by the rushing of particular ions in and out of neurons.
Electrolytes are charged particles that can conduct chemical signals.
Various studies have demonstrated the link between good cognitive function and proper hydration. The affected functions can include:
Concentration or attentiveness
Concept learning
Critical thinking
Memory
Reaction time
Accuracy during complex tasks
In one study examining the impact of hydration on visual sustained attention, researchers found that the group that consumed the most water (330 mL) performed best on the visual attention test, while those in the no-water group performed the worst. Another study replicated this research while minimizing variability in baseline hydration levels. It found that young adults who were given 200 ml of water saw increased performance from the baseline in a sustained attention task that involved searching for a specific letter within a grid.
Researchers have also found that short-term memory improves after water consumption. In three different studies (found here, here, and here), subjects’ performance on memory-related tests — such as recalling a list of objects — improved after water consumption compared with their no-water performance. And while these three studies all looked at school-age children, it’s likely that the findings would hold true for adults as well.
The biggest electrolyte in human brain function is Sodium.
Sodium helps regulate the transmission of electrical signals between neurons. Sodium ions are charged particles(electrolytes) that are involved in the transmission of electrical signals in the body.
When an electrical signal is transmitted between neurons, sodium ions move into the cell, which creates an electrical current. This is important because the transmission of these electrical signals is essential for proper brain function.
And the most common source of sodium is salt.
You don’t hear about salt too much but it is vital for proper brain function.
It is often neglected…maybe because it is not glamorous, but it is essential.
How much salt is required?
It depends on your lifestyle. How much water you’re drinking, how much caffeine you’re drinking, and how much food you’re ingesting.
An increased amount of sodium can lead to high blood pressure, which can increase the risk of heart disease. So you should be cautious about your salt intake as well.
But for proper body function, it is extremely important…
If you want to perform any physical task like exercise, you need electrolytes.
If you want to perform any mental task like studying, brainstorming ideas, and solving problems drinking only water won’t help. You need electrolytes.
Stay healthy
Louisa
p.s —- The latest episode of TNE (The Neuro Experience) was released this morning!