Hydration, Gut Health, and The Brain: The Trio That Transforms Your Well-being

We all know proper hydration is important, especially now as temperatures start to climb. There are thousands of articles about how drinking enough water is the key to muscle health, skin health, urinary health, weight loss, flushing out toxins, and joint health... You get the picture. But did you know that proper hydration is also important for brain health and your gut microbiome?

The human brain is made up of about 75% water, which means staying hydrated is super important for keeping it functioning at its best! When we don’t drink enough water, we might experience some cognitive hiccups like mental fog and fatigue. If dehydration goes on for too long, it can lead to more serious health issues, like hormone imbalances and even brain shrinkage.

Staying hydrated is super important for keeping your digestion and gut health in top shape! It helps everything move smoothly and supports a happy gut microbiome. Plus, did you know that research shows that how well you digest food can affect your brain? That’s right! There’s a fascinating connection between your gut and your brain.

As someone who relies heavily on their intuition (and gut feelings), I understand how brain fog and fatigue can impact how I think, observe, and process information. I also see how, when my body is not properly nourished, it affects my meditation and yoga. Digestive issues can take the focus away from my meditation and even hinder how well I can practice some of my poses and flows. Think about being super bloated and resting in a simple pose like Child's Pose.

Staying hydrated is super important, and while drinking more water is a great start, there are some fun alternatives to consider! Have you thought about munching on fruits and veggies with high water content? They’re not just delicious, but they can help keep you hydrated and support your brain and gut health. Plus, studies show that enjoying whole foods like fresh fruits and vegetables can do wonders for your gut, which is fantastic news for your brain, too. So, let’s explore some tasty ways to boost your hydration!

Other things to consider are that some of these foods also contain minerals or can be prepared with other ingredients, which can help boost electrolyte levels, another hot topic in the hydration conversation. Electrolytes are minerals, like sodium, potassium, and chloride, that have an electric charge when dissolved in water. They regulate nerve and muscle function, balance fluid levels, help maintain blood pressure, and support healthy bones and teeth. 

Lemons have a high water content, with water making up over 85% of their composition. Throwing some lemon slices or squeezing some lemon into your water can add a bit of flavor and help aid in your hydration plus give you some added Vitamin C. Leafy greens like spinach and kale also boast an over 84% water content, so incorporating them into your smoothies and salads can help you increase your water intake. Carrots have a higher water content of over 85%, and cucumbers and strawberries are among the highest with a 90% water content or more.

Adding more hydrating fruits and vegetables to your diet is a great (and delicious) way to boost your water intake as well as give your body those much-needed nutrients to fuel your gut.

I'm no chef, but here is a simple salad you can throw together that's delicious and hydrating and also provides the body with other great vitamins and minerals like Vitamin C, Potassium, Magnesium, and brain boosting antioxidants:

Simple Hydrating Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

Serves 1

Lemon Vinaigrette:

Juice of half a lemon

1 tsp Olive Oil

Fresh Cilantro

Fresh Mint

Garlic Powder

Salt

Pepper

Salad:

1/2 Cup Spinach Leaves

1/2 Cup Kale

1/4 Cup Carrrots (Sliced very thin or grated)

1/4 Cup Cucumbers

1/4 Cup Strawberries

Almond Slivers

Feta Crumbles