Skip to main content
ARS Home » Northeast Area » Boston, Massachusetts » Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #199384
Title: HYDRATION STATUS AND COGNITIVE PERFORMANCE IN YOUNG ADULTS

Author
item D'ANCI, KRISTEN - TUFTS/HNRCA

Submitted to: Nutrition in Clinical Care
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/1/2005
Publication Date: 12/1/2005
Citation: D'Anci, K.E. 2005. Hydration status and cognitive performance in young adults. Nutrition in Clinical Care. 8(4):163-6.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Adequate hydration levels are important for both mental and physical functioning. Research conducted in young adults suggests that mild levels of dehydration (2%-4%) can negatively influence cognitive performance in a variety of tasks, but these data are inconsistent. Dehydration may be relatively common in young adults, especially following athletic events, and hypohydration may persist for several hours following exercise. In healthy young adults, symptoms of confusion, cognitive impairment, and fatigue may be indicative of mild dehydration brought about by exposure to heat or by physical activity.