March 25, 2014

Water On The Brain

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A new study shows that maybe we don’t need to worry about drinking too much water…as our brain seems to know when to stop. Researchers at the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health in Melbourne, Australia showed through MRI images that the brain inhibits the swallowing reflex once we’ve satiated our thirst. When we are drinking, as after a workout, the brain first delivers a pleasurable sensation when thirst is slaked. When study participants kept drinking past that point, first parts of the brain controlling and inhibiting swallowing lit up, and researchers say a part of the brain associated with unpleasant feelings also becamse activated.

The researchers’ impression is that the brain uses these signals to keep the water balance in the body. But this doesn’t mean avoid drinking – other studies have shown that people perform cognitive tests better after drinking water before testing. So drink up (water) as long as it feels good!