Newsletter - February 2025
The Secret Link for Beauty and Brain Power
The Magic of Water
There, I gave the secret away right in the sub-title. So much for a bit of mystery and suspense.
However, if you haven’t given water much attention in the past, now might be the right time to do so.
It’s one of those essentials where you only notice its importance when it’s not available.
Apart from air, water is the essence of life, a vital substance that plays a critical role in nearly every function of the human body. Often overlooked in our daily routines, water is the life blood of our planet and is an indispensable element for us to maintain optimal health. From promoting physical and emotional well-being to enhancing cognitive function – water is the ultimate fuel for the body and mind.
1. Water: The Building Block of Our Bodies
The human adult body is made up of approximately 60% water. Every cell, tissue, and organ relies on water to perform essential functions. Water is involved in nutrient transportation, digestion, waste elimination, temperature regulation, and joint lubrication. It supports muscle function, helps break down food, and keeps our organs in peak working condition. Without adequate hydration, our bodies simply cannot function optimally.
Picture: Open Source U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS) Water Science School
Our blood, which is 90% water, relies on this fluid to transport oxygen, nutrients, and hormones throughout the body. Water also helps remove waste products, ensuring that our kidneys and liver function smoothly. When we are dehydrated, these processes slow down, and the body’s systems begin to suffer. Therefore, it is critical to drink enough water daily to support overall physical health and wellbeing.
2. Hydration and Physical Performance
Physical performance, at any age, whether you’re an elite athlete or someone engaging in regular exercise, relies heavily on hydration. Water helps regulate body temperature whether during exercise or in response to environmental temperatures, preventing overheating, which is especially important in high-intensity activities or warm environments.
Dehydration can lead to fatigue, reduced endurance, and impaired muscle function. Even mild dehydration — just 2% below normal hydration levels — can negatively affect performance. By staying well-hydrated, you can enhance your ability to exercise, improve muscle function, and reduce the risk of injury.
As I recently experienced myself during a hike in the mountains, dehydration, or the effects of it, can creep up on you. I was not aware of muscular fatigue or loss of balance, however, lucky for me, our guide was and kept a close eye on me so I wouldn’t just tumble down the mountain. While I did notice that I was getting markedly slower and got left behind by the group, I did not feel any discomfort.
So, my best tip: keep drinking water habitually throughout the day! If you start only when you notice that you are dehydrated, you could have already injured yourself.
As I recently experienced myself during a hike in the mountains, dehydration, or the effects of it, can creep up on you. I was not aware of muscular fatigue or loss of balance, however, lucky for me, our guide was and kept a close eye on me so I wouldn’t just tumble down the mountain. While I did notice that I was getting markedly slower and got left behind by the group, I did not feel any discomfort.
So, my best tip: keep drinking water habitually throughout the day! If you start only when you notice that you are dehydrated, you could have already injured yourself.
As more people are living longer and want to remain active in their advanced years, hydration becomes even more important. It keeps our joints lubricated and cushioned, helping to prevent damage
Additionally, water helps maintain blood volume during exercise, ensuring that your heart doesn’t have to work harder than necessary. This, in turn, helps prevent excessive strain on your cardiovascular system and promotes faster recovery post-workout.
3. Water for Digestion and Detoxification
Water plays an essential role in digestion and the elimination of waste from the body. Proper hydration ensures that the digestive system functions effectively, allowing food to pass through the gastrointestinal tract smoothly. Water aids in the transport of waste to be excreted from the body.
When you’re dehydrated, digestion slows down, leading to constipation, bloating, and discomfort. Without enough water, the body can also struggle to remove toxins, which may result in an accumulation of waste in the body. Drinking sufficient water supports kidney function, which filters waste products and helps prevent the buildup of harmful substances in the body.
Furthermore, water helps neutralize stomach acid, preventing conditions such as acid reflux. It can even ease indigestion and heartburn by promoting healthy stomach acid levels and helping to dilute excess acid in the stomach.
4. Cognitive Function: How Water Powers the Brain
Many people are looking for #Neurohacks or #Brainhacks nowadays to stay sharp and on top of their game. During that process, the #1 brainhack, the water factor, seems to be overlooked: its most important role is in supporting brain and nervous system health and function. The brain is approximately 75% water, which highlights just how vital hydration is for mental performance, and brain function depends on having abundant access to water. Even mild dehydration can negatively affect cognitive function, leading to reduced concentration, memory issues, and poor decision-making.
Here are several ways in which water directly supports brain health:
4.1. Improved Focus and Concentration
Water is essential for maintaining optimal brain function, especially when it comes to focus and attention, mental clarity and sharp decision-making abilities. Studies have shown that dehydration can impair cognitive abilities, leading to difficulties with concentration, memory recall, the ability to perform complex tasks, and poor judgment leading to poor decision-making.
When you’re dehydrated, your brain doesn’t function as efficiently, making it harder to focus and stay on task. You need a lot more energy to get things done. If you work more efficiently, you will also have more time for relaxation.
4.2. Enhanced Memory
The brain’s memory centers, including the hippocampus, rely heavily on water to function. Dehydration has been shown to negatively affect memory and recall, as it disrupts the brain’s ability to store and retrieve information.
Drinking adequate amounts of water ensures that the brain’s synapses (see picture below) — the connections between neurons — can function at their best. These synapses (see picture below) are responsible for transmitting information across the brain, and hydration helps maintain their integrity, supporting the ability to form and recall memories.
4.3. Mood and Emotional Regulation
Hydration also plays a key role in regulating mood and preventing mental fatigue. Dehydration has been linked to feelings of irritability, stress, and anxiety. The brain’s neurotransmitters, which are responsible for mood regulation, rely on water to function correctly. Without proper hydration, these chemicals become imbalanced, leading to mood swings, irritability and emotional instability.
Dr. F. Batmanghelidj, an Iranian-American physician and pioneer in the study of water and its role in healing, was a vocal advocate for the therapeutic power of water. He wrote, “You’re not sick, you’re thirsty. Don’t treat thirst with medications.” Dr. Batmanghelidj’s research suggested that many chronic illnesses are linked to dehydration, and by simply drinking enough water, people could alleviate a variety of ailments, from headaches to emotional upsets to joint pain.
4.4. Cognitive Aging and Neuroprotection
Chronic dehydration can have long-term effects on brain health, particularly in the elderly. As we age, the brain becomes more vulnerable to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Maintaining hydration has been linked to better cognitive function in older adults, and studies suggest that staying hydrated can help delay the onset of cognitive decline.
Water helps protect the brain’s neural pathways by keeping brain cells hydrated and preventing the build-up of toxic substances. Proper hydration has been shown to reduce inflammation in the brain, which is a key factor in the development of cognitive disorders. Thus, water doesn’t just support short-term brain function, it also plays a role in protecting long-term brain health.
Dr. Carla Hannaford, a neurobiologist and educator, also stressed the importance of water for brain health, particularly in children’s cognitive development. She noted, “Hydration is a basic necessity for learning. If you are dehydrated, your brain cannot function at its peak.” Dr. Hannaford’s research in her book “Why Learning is not all in your head” emphasized the critical role water plays in enhancing brain function, memory, and learning abilities.
As a Kinesiologist we use muscle testing and exercises to help the brain make changes or getting better connected. We start every balance with drinking water to enable the brain to respond to changes quickly.
5. How a Healthy Brain and Nervous System Enhance Your Beauty and Physical Appearance
When we think of beauty care, we mainly focus on external factors — skin creams, hair treatments, makeup, clothes, etc. But true beauty starts from within, and one of the most powerful contributors to a radiant, youthful appearance is a healthy brain and nervous system, especially when well-hydrated. The connection between brain function, hydration, and physical beauty is profound, influencing everything from skin glow to posture, facial expressions, and especially the energy we radiate
5.1. Hydration and Brain Function: The Foundation of Beauty
The brain is made up of about 75% water, meaning proper hydration is crucial for optimal function. When the brain is well-hydrated, it enhances neurotransmitter activity, improves blood circulation, and ensures the proper delivery of nutrients to cells — including skin, facial muscles and tendons for expression, hair, and nails. Dehydration, on the other hand, leads to dull, dry skin, brittle hair, and an overall tired, aged appearance.
A well-balanced nervous system — free from excessive stress and tension — relaxes facial muscles, preventing deep wrinkles and frown lines. Chronic stress triggers the overproduction of cortisol, which breaks down collagen and accelerates aging. When the brain is in a calm, balanced state, the face appears more open, relaxed, and naturally youthful. This is why meditation, mindfulness, and hydration are often linked to a more radiant complexion.
5.2. Posture and Poise
The nervous system controls posture and muscle tone. When your brain and spinal cord communicate efficiently, your posture naturally improves — your shoulders align, your neck elongates, your muscles are strong and relaxed, and you carry yourself with grace. Poor hydration can lead to fatigue and muscle stiffness, making it harder to maintain good posture and movement, which in turn affects confidence and presence. Good posture lets you feel and appear young.
5.3. Skin
Skin is the body’s largest organ, and like all organs, it requires hydration to function properly. When the body is dehydrated, the skin can appear dry, flaky, and dull. Chronic dehydration can even lead to wrinkles, fine lines, and a loss of elasticity before time.
Adequate hydration helps maintain skin moisture, improving its texture and appearance. Water helps flush out toxins from the body, reducing the chances of skin conditions like acne, eczema, or psoriasis.
By keeping skin hydrated from the inside out, you promote a healthy, youthful glow. Additionally, water supports collagen production, which is essential for skin elasticity and firmness.
Conclusion
Water is a basic necessity for living. It an essential powerhouse to supercharge our brain and nervous system to support physical, mental and emotional optimum functioning.
So, the next time you’re feeling fatigued, struggling to focus, or noticing changes in your mood, start with the simple solution first: drink a glass of water. Your brain, and your body, will thank you.
Tip: Make a decision to take action today: Place a glass of water next to your bed, ready for when you wake up in the morning. When you wake up, drink the glass of water before you do anything else.
By nurturing your brain and nervous system — especially through proper hydration—you create the foundation for lasting beauty, vitality, and radiance. True beauty starts from within! 💧✨
Book your free discovery call with me to find out how a better connected brain can help you or your family, privately or for business.
https://calendly.com/evelynbrey/20-minutes-free-one-on-one-consultation
About the Author
Evelyn Brey, B.Sc.Ost.Med., is a certified Kinesiologist, Brain Gym Instructor, Member of the Board Brain Gym Austria, and the founder of Smart Moves X. With over 20 years of experience and extensive qualifications across a range of Kinesiology and other natural health modalities, Evelyn is passionate about helping her clients overcome their emotional, mental, physical, nutritional and energetic challenges to achieve their goals.
DISCLAIMER
This site offers health, wellness, and movement information and is designed for educational purposes only. This site is not intended to provide and does not constitute medical, legal, or other professional advice. The content is designed to support, not replace, medical or psychiatric treatment.
Please seek professional care if you believe you may have a medical condition.
