Winter dehydration, the invisible enemy of concentration

In the common imagination, dehydration It is a danger associated exclusively with hot summer days or intense physical activity. This bias exposes us to a sneaky risk during the cold months: from November to March, our body is subject to physiological mechanisms that they inhibit the stimulus of thirst.

This promotes dehydration involuntary winter that affects cognitive performance very before manifesting itself with obvious physical symptoms. Keeping your brain properly hydrated is the easiest gesture to ensure focus health and productivity even on the coldest days of the year.

Why does cold dehydrate?

It's paradoxical: in winter we sweat less, Yet the risk of dehydration remains high. This happens because of three Main factors that work silently against our balance Water:

• Diuresis induced by the cold. When the As temperatures drop, the body reacts with peripheral vasoconstriction: constricts the blood vessels in the extremities to concentrate warm blood to the internal vital organs. The kidneys interpret this increase in central blood pressure as an excess of fluids and, to restore balance, stimulate the production of urine. As a result, we lose liquids more frequently.
• Loss of liquids with breath. The air winter is typically dry. When we see the classic cloud while We breathe outdoors, we are literally watching the water leaving the our body in the form of steam. Even at rest, the lungs must humidify the dry air we inhale, consuming water reserves precious with every breath.
• Environments warmed up. We spend most of our time in offices and homes with artificial heating. These systems lower drastically the ambient humidity, accelerating the evaporation of liquids through the skin, often without us realizing it.

What are the symptoms neurological aspects of dehydration?

The brain is composed of about 75% water. It is therefore not surprising that it is the first organ to suffer when hydration it drops. Neuroscientific studies show that dehydration is enough very slight, equal to 1-2% of body weight, to trigger a drop in measurable cognitive functions.

The mental symptoms of the Winter dehydration include:

• Headache frequent: often confused with screen fatigue or work stress.
• Brain fog: a feeling of fog that makes it difficult to process complex information or maintain the thread of the discourse.
• Irritability and mood drop: the deficiency influences the production of neurotransmitters, making us more susceptible to stress.
• Drowsiness and fatigue: feeling of fatigue caused by a lower supply of oxygen and nutrients.

How to hydrate in winter? 

Since we cannot rely on meaning of thirst, which is reduced by up to 40% in the cold, it is important to follow some practical tricks. Here's what can help you hydrate during your workouts. colder months bypassing winter obstacles:

• Setup visual reminders. To have, for example, For example, a water bottle that is always full on the desk helps to create an automatic habit that overcomes the lack of biological stimulation of the thirst.
• Consume unsweetened herbal teas or water at room temperature. Helps hydrate and warm the body at the same time, making the intake pleasant.
• Integrate water-rich foods such as soups, soups and citrus fruits. They provide fluids that are released into the body eating, along with essential micronutrients such as minerals and vitamins.

One more ally against the Winter dehydration

Sometimes water alone is not enough to maximize performance, especially if we already feel fatigued. Drinks sugary drinks or energy drinks are counterproductive: sugar causes a glycemic spike followed by from a breakdown that worsens drowsiness and mental fog.

When mental fatigue adds up to dehydration, drink a functional drink strictly without sugar added can make all the difference in improving hydration and cognitive support. S-Nap Shot has been designed precisely for this: refill the mind with brain fuel.

Winter dehydration, Frequently Asked Questions

Coffee and tea count as hydration? 

Yes, they contribute to the contribution of liquids. However, caffeine has a slight diuretic effect. It is good not to exceed 3-4 cups a day and always alternate them with water.

How much water should you drink In winter? 

The requirement remains similar to that Summer: about 1.5 - 2 liters per day for an average adult, to be adapted according to physical activity carried out and the dryness of the environments in which we live.

Because in winter I have less thirst? 

Due to vasoconstriction peripheral. Blood concentrates in the center of the body, "deceiving" blood volume receptors that signal to the brain that hydration is sufficient, even when it is not.