News and Events

rss

Here is what's happening at Phoenix Food Hub

Food For Thought August 2025 Newsletter.jpg
Food and Thought Newsletter - August 2025

The Dog Days Of Summer Are Here: Beware Of Dehydration
Dehydration occurs when the body uses or loses more fluid than it takes in. Then the body doesn't have enough water and other fluids to do its usual work. Not replacing lost fluids leads to dehydration. Sometimes dehydration occurs for simple reasons, such as not drinking enough water. This can happen when you're sick or too busy to remember to drink enough. Or there might be no safe water to drink when traveling, hiking or camping. Other dehydration causes include: diarrhea and vomiting, illnesses that cause fever, weather and activities that cause sweating, medicines,
diabetes.
Anyone can become dehydrated. But the condition is more serious for infants, children and older adults. Dehydration also can occur in anyone who doesn't drink enough water during hot weather. It's more likely in people who are active in the heat. Drinking more fluids usually fixes mild to moderate dehydration. But severe dehydration is serious and needs medical treatment right away.


Dehydration And Mental Health
There’s a strong relationship between dehydration, hydration, and mental health. Low fluid levels can cause hormone changes, cognitive impairment, “brain fog,” poor sleep, and a host of other unpleasant physical symptoms that can bring down your mood.
Our brains need enough fluid for the connection between nerves to run effectively. Staying hydrated helps our brains work at its best, keeping us sharp, focused, and clear-headed. But dehydration works against our physical and mental health.
In the short term, it can be easy to treat. In fact, multiple studies suggest that drinking water improves our cognitive function rather quickly. But, if we are chronically dehydrated, the opposite can also be true. Long term dehydration can have long-term effects on cognitive function even after our mood and other symptoms have improved. So, staying hydrated is one extremely important tool for keeping our bodies and minds healthy.

Know The Signs Of Dehydration:
Dehydration is a potentially life-threatening condition. Know the signs to help avoid a medical emergency.
1. Thirst
2. Confusion
3. Fatigue
4. Dizziness
5. Chills
6. Dry mouth
7. Muscle tension
8. Headache
9. Infrequent urination
10. Dark urine
11. Fainting
12. Rapid heartbeat

Suggestions For Beverages That Combat Dehydration:
Water/Seltzer
Gatorade
Sports Drink
Herbal Tea
Coconut Water
Milk

Sources for this month’s newsletter have been taken from: 
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/dehydration-and-affect-on-mentalhealth
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dehydration/symptoms-causes/syc-20354086
https://www.verywellhealth.com/most-hydrating-drinks-11745629
The Food and Thought Program works to promote awareness and provide short term counseling around the important link between nutrition and emotional health. For more information or for a referral to the program, please contact the Food and Thought Program
This work is supported by the Beverly and Addison Gilbert Hospital Community Benefits Community Grant Program.
 

Attached Files
Showing 0 Comment