Study shows being dehydrated can affect your cognitive ability

USA — A study published in the Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise shows that even becoming mildly dehydrated has the ability to affect one's ability to think clearly.

Dehydration can impair the brain's ability to complete tasks such as proofreading, mental math, and even map recognition, reports Reuters.

Mindy Millard-Stafford, co-author of the study, told NPR that it wouldn't take long to become mildly dehydrated in the summer, especially if you exercise outside.

The study found that participants lost up to 1 to 6 percent of fluids equal to their body mass through exercise alone.

Millard-Stafford commented to Reuters, saying human brain cells need water just like the cells in muscle.

However, NPR reports, coffee or other caffeinated beverages also have a hydrating effect.

Dr. Ronald Roth, a professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, said if a person experiences fatigue, confusion, and muscle weakness among other symptoms, is a reminder to consume more fluids.

Dr. Roth also said it is important to know when you are overdoing it and taking in too much water as that may lead to hyponatremia, which is an excess of water in the body compared to the ratio of sodium, Reuters reports.