How Light affects Hydration. Why Light, Not Just Water Intake, May Be the Missing Link in Your Hydration
The hydration paradox
A lot of people think hydration is about just drinking enough water, but it’s actually soo much more than that. Hydration is the essence of life, we are mostly made up of water. How hydrated we are doesn’t just depend on how much water we drink, but actually how charged we are and our internal ability to absorb and flow water.
This is why some people drink plenty of water (actually often too much-if you’re one of those people who can’t go anywhere without their 32oz stanley cup-I’m talking about you haha). Or maybe even use electrolyte supplements, but still come up against symptoms of being dehydrated, or just other symptoms of feeling unwell they aren’t even aware of that are actually due to chronic dehydration.
This is because true hydration happens inside of the cell- and the reason light affects how hydrated we are is because of how our mitochondria (energy maker of the cell) respond to light.
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Hydration happens at the cellular level
There is a critical difference between water that exists outside the cell and water that is held within it. You can drink plenty of water and still be functionally dehydrated if that water isn’t being properly absorbed, structured, and retained at the cellular level.
Let's talk about coherent water. Inside and around optimally functioning cells, water exists in a more organized, structured state- often referred to as coherent or exclusion zone water. This organized form of water supports proper electrical signaling and metabolic processes. Water outside the cell must be actively managed and transported and without the right cellular conditions and charge, much of it simply passes through the body without truly hydrating our tissues-leaving us lacking energy and flow. This is where mitochondria come in.
Mitochondria are what you probably remember from high school biology as the cell’s energy producers, but their role goes far beyond making ATP (adenosine triphosphate). Through efficient energy production, mitochondria help create and maintain the electrochemical gradients that allow cells to hold onto water and get rid of waste (HELLO DETOXIFICATION - please lets ditch the incessant cleanse culture and just properly hydrate our cells and let them take care of the rest)
When mitochondrial function is strong, cells are better able to:
Generate energy efficiently
Maintain mineral balance
Create and retain intracellular water
In this way, hydration is not just a matter of intake- it is an energy-dependent process. Without sufficient cellular energy, the body struggles to create the internal conditions and electron charge required for true hydration, no matter how much water is consumed.
Understanding hydration as a cellular and energetic process shifts the conversation of hydration entirely from asking “Am I drinking enough?”, to the more meaningful question, “Is my body able to create and hold the charge for hydration.” In that case we have to talk about how mitochondria are light sensitive.
Our mitochondria evolved under the broad spectrum of sunlight, not inside, under fluorescent lights and behind a computer screen- so you could appreciate the power of being exposed to the natural light. We evolved constantly influenced by the flow of signaling of light and darkness, day in and day out. Exposure to these natural light signals regulate electron flow (aka energy production), hormone production and regulation, digestive cues, repair, neurotransmitter firing +
All of the above create coherence in the body, creating coherent and organized water-allowing for proper hydration, energy flow and metabolic processes to occur.
Morning sunlight as a hydration signal
Getting outside in the morning to see the morning light on your face and in your eyes, regardless of if the sun is out and about, sets the day in motion for everything in your body to be firing optimally. It signals mitochondrial efficiency and sets the stage for proper fluid movement throughout the day.
Artificial light and mitochondrial stress
Blue light at the wrong time
Bluelight is 2 percent of the broad spectrum of natural light, but our computers and phones are 100 PERCENT BLUE LIGHT. Woah. This incessant exposure to screens actually dehydrates us, because it creates a wildly mismatched light signal, confusing electron flow, it increases oxidative stress (cellular damage). Therefore less efficient flow of electrons = compromised intracellular hydration.
Nighttime light & melatonin suppression
Melatonin serves as one of the body's major antioxidants-think of it like your body's neighborhood friendly handyman-it comes in whenever needed to repair what needs fixing. Without it, we are in major trouble (a thought for another day- suppression of melatonin is a HUGE link to the development of cancer)
When we are exposed to artificial light at night when it’s supposed to be dark, this suppresses melatonin and reduces repair and overnight restoration and leads to a lack of production of coherent water in the body-aka dehydration.
Why dehydration isn’t always a “water problem”
When we have impaired mitochondria, we have impaired water absorption, production and flow. Kidneys, hormones, and cellular function can all fall out of rhythm when light signals are off.
Simply drinking more water without fixing this circadian foundation can dilute minerals, increase urination, and worsen various symptoms as the body is working that much harder to return to some semblance of harmony.
Signs your hydration issues may be light driven
Thirst despite high water intake
Constant clear urine, frequent urination
Brain fog or fatigue after screen time or being sedentary
Restless sleep, waking feeling tired
Dry skin or lips with high water intake
Feeling better outdoors without changing water intake
Supporting hydration through mitochondrial-friendly light habits
Get morning sunlight
Connect to nature and get outside whenever possible
Avoid use of sunglasses when you can
Spend time in darkness/dim lighting at night
Sleep in the dark
Avoid screens when possible and use bluelight blocking glasses to protect your eyes
Why this is foundational & not a “biohack”
Light affects:
Mitochondria
Hormones
Nervous system
Mineral balance
Repair
Detoxifiction
These are base line fundamentals of health. When the body is not supported by proper light signaling- dehydration happens as a result. Simply focusing on the water and not the vessel that takes in the water is just fixing a branch of a deeper issue (yes your water quality is important too! Learn more in my Foundations of Vitality course.)
My course Foundations of Vitality teaches you how to restore cellular energy production and cellular hydration amongst other pillars of health like digestion and hormonal health.
In the course we cover:
How to optimize your daily hormonal rhythms
Cellular hydration
Energy production
Mindset
& more!
Meet The Author: Chelsey Mollin, Lac, Msaom
Hi! I’m Chelsey- Licensed acupuncturist, traditionally trained Chinese herbalist, applied quantum biology and holistic health practitioner. I help people thrive in their healthiest lives.
