When I used to run COD with my boys, I always had a bottle of water or Red Bull within arm’s reach. It’s easy to forget to drink enough water, and while you might not get dehydrated enough to cause long-lasting effects, it could put a lid on your gaming session.
Given that gaming is a low-activity endeavor and assuming you don’t have any underlying medical conditions that require you to drink more water, you can meet your minimum recommended daily intake of 2.7 liters (91 ounces) by drinking approximately 5.7 ounces of water per hour.
It doesn’t have to be an exact science a couple of swigs of water should be fine. One easy way I track my consumption is by using a cup with measurements like in the image below.
What Do Gamers Drink While Gaming?
Studies show that over 80% of gamers drink and snack while gaming. Not surprising, right? Let’s be honest, it might not be good for you, but who could resist some french fries or a plate of nachos while battling the hordes of evil?
Most gamers drink carbonated drinks or water while gaming. Carbonated options like soda and energy drinks make up the majority of this percentage, making most gamer’s rehydration of choice quite unhealthy.
Unfortunately, the worrying statistics show that 48% of gamers wash their nachos down with soft drinks while 17% do it with energy drinks. If we add 15% of alco-hol drinkers to these numbers, this leaves us with all too little 20% of gamers who choose the healthiest option – water.
Pro Gamers Drink of Choice
Although you might expect the pro gamer’s drink of choice would be the tears of their virtual enemies, the unexpected answer is rapidly becoming plain old water.
When watching live streams of the most prominent esports tournaments like the World Cyber Games or the North American Major League Gaming league, there is a noticeable trend of water bottles replacing Red Bull and Coca-Cola cans among pro gamers.
This is due to people becoming more informed about the negative aspects of drinking energy drinks while gaming.
Effects of Drinking Energy Drinks While Gaming
While the large amounts of caffeine, sugar, and other stimulants in energy drinks bring an artificial boost of alertness, attention, and energy, they also increase blood pressure and heart rate.
They can also cause dehydration, insomnia, gastrointestinal problems, and anxiety, none of which are desirable in a fast-paced, high-stress environment like gaming.
A preeminent study spanning four years by The U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) found a drastic jump in emergency room visits by people aged 18 to 39 related to the consumption of energy drinks.
Does Drinking Water Improve Your Gameplay?
Drinking water has a positive effect on your body, that’s something we all know. It prevents your body from overheating, eliminates waste, improves circulation of oxygen in your blood, and boosts energy and endurance, but how does it factor into gaming?
Drinking water can significantly improve your gameplay. Hydration makes your decision-making process faster, keeps you concentrated, improves your focus, reduces your fatigue, and keeps you alert — all of it crucial for gaming. It also helps your brain produce dopamine and serotonin.
Most importantly, drinking enough water keeps you from becoming dehydrated.
How I Gamify Drinking Water
I pretty much gamed my entire life, so it is natural to gamify everything to make it fun. I tend to use this bottle with motivating quotes when doing intense work or other intense activities. Find similar ones on Amazon here
List of Some Recommended Water Brands I Enjoy
How To Get Better Tasting Water At Home?
Setting up a triple-filtered reverse osmosis system for your home water supply can provide you with clean, safe, and great-tasting drinking water. Here’s a general overview of the steps involved:
- Assess your water quality: The first step is to assess the quality of your home’s water supply. You can purchase a water testing kit online or from a home improvement store to determine the level of contaminants in your water. This will help you determine the type of reverse osmosis system you need to install.
- Choose a reverse osmosis system: There are many different types of reverse osmosis systems available on the market, ranging from simple countertop units to whole-house systems. Consider your budget, water usage needs, and the contaminants in your water when choosing a system.
- Install the reverse osmosis system: Installing a reverse osmosis system typically involves attaching it to your home’s water supply and connecting it to a dedicated faucet. Depending on the system, you may need to install a pre-filter and post-filter as well.
- Flush the system: Before using your new reverse osmosis system, it’s important to flush it to remove any air or residual particles. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for flushing the system before use.
- Maintain the system: Regular maintenance is crucial to ensure that your reverse osmosis system continues to operate effectively. This may involve replacing filters on a regular basis, cleaning the system periodically, and monitoring water quality.
Keep in mind that the specific steps for setting up a triple-filtered reverse osmosis system for your home may vary depending on the system you choose and your individual needs. It’s always a good idea to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully and seek professional help if you’re not comfortable with the installation process.
#1. APEC Water Systems
#2. Brita UltraMax Large Water Dispenser
Does Being Dehydrated Affect Gaming? Yes, and Here’s Why!
Considering more than half of our body mass and three-fourths of brain mass consists of water, it’s not surprising hydration plays a big part in keeping you fresh during long hours of gameplay.
Dehydration worsens your gaming experience by reducing strength and stamina and reducing your ability to focus. In extreme cases, it can also cause you to feel lightheaded and even pass out.
Because of this, keeping track of your water intake is essential since it’s so easy to lose sight of time while immersed in your favorite game, making dehydration a real danger for a gamer.
Here is a list of dehydration symptoms to make them easier to recognize and a list of their effect on your body.
Dehydration Symptoms
- Thirst
- Dry mouth and lips
- Infrequent toilet breaks
- Dark urine
- Headache
- Dizziness when standing up
Dehydration Effects
- Feeling tired and lethargic
- Confusion
- Loss of strength and energy
- Cognitive performance impairment (loss of concentration and drastically slower response time)
- Negative effect on your mood (causes hostility and irrational anger because of an increase in the stress hormone cortisol)
In case you notice any of these symptoms, the best way to rehydrate is by drinking clear liquids such as water or sports drinks. In more severe cases, it might be best to visit the emergency room since intravenous fluids might need to be administered.
If you have the tendency to forget to drink water, here are some great ways to keep this under control:
- Set hourly reminders on your phone. Take a few sips every time you hear the alarm.
- Get a high-tech water bottle that keeps track of your water consumption. These are really great options because they do all the work for you. They will show exactly how much water you’ve drunk and how much more you have to go.
- Use a water bottle with magic marker time goals. This is the low-tech version to basically the same effect. Take a clear water bottle and mark ounces on it with a magic marker, this will help you keep track without cleaning yourself out.
- Keep your bottle within eyesight. This will make it easier for you to remember drinking more often.
What Are Good Water Alternatives When Gaming?
Tea and fruit juice are some good alternatives to water when gaming. Both are low in sugar and healthy too, rehydrating and restoring your alertness. G Fuel is also a good low-sugar alternative to water.
Some people just don’t like the taste of water, so here are some good alternatives for your gaming sessions:
- Try drinking tea. If it’s the taste that is your problem, make some tea or use water infused with fresh fruit or mint. It will bring the same level of hydration while adding vitamins and a great taste to match.
- Eat a lot of foods with high water content. Fruit such as blueberries, plums, peaches, and pineapple contain more than 80% water, while watermelon and cantaloupes have more than 90%. This will help you stay hydrated even if you don’t monitor your water intake as closely as you should.
- Give sparkling water a try. It will bring all the benefits of noncarbonated water, but it will be more fun to drink. You can even think about investing in a SodaStream. Their syrups contain a lot less sugar and calories than a standard can of soft drink, allowing you to enjoy your favorite taste without the dreaded sugar crash.
- G Fuel is a natural energy drink made as an alternative to sugar-fueled options on the market. It is also the official drink of Esports®. Although we have talked about energy drinks being bad for your health, this is a good option made specifically for gamers. But, as it is with everything, keep in mind that moderation is the key.
- Gatorade replenishes your electrolytes and helps keep you well-hydrated. In spite of the fact it has a high sugar content, it doesn’t contain caffeine making it a good alternative to water and a great alternative to most energy drinks.
Related read: Why Does Starbucks Water Taste So Good?
Conclusion
Drinking a lot of water is crucial for a good gaming session. It’s important to know that the number of ounces in your estimated daily intake (body weight in lbs multiplied by half) is just that, an estimation.
Don’t forget to remind yourself to drink water regularly and not let the thirst guide you because once you feel thirsty, it means you have gone down the dehydration road.
Keeping yourself hydrated while gaming is crucial because, as I’ve mentioned, water gives your gameplay an edge making your reflexes better and your mind sharper.
