Tua Tagovailoa’s Diet Adjustments Aid Brain Health After Concussion Scare

Miami Gardens, Florida – Tua Tagovailoa, quarterback for the Miami Dolphins, recently experienced a concussion scare during a game against the Carolina Panthers on September 29, 2025. After taking a hard hit to the head while sliding, fans held their breath as Tagovailoa quickly recovered and finished the match, which Miami lost 27-24.

Post-game, Tagovailoa explained his surprising wellness by discussing adjustments he’s made to his diet to help prevent concussions. He stated, “Just carbing up more for the games and getting more fluids in… I think it definitely helps with the aspect of the brain… I felt perfectly fine, felt great.” He emphasized that increasing his carbohydrate intake has been crucial in improving his hydration and overall brain health.

According to Tagovailoa, medical professionals informed him that proper hydration involves not just drinking water, but also retaining fluids. “The doctors were talking about the liquid that your brain sits in. If I’m eating eggs, bacon, and sausage and there’s not much carbs, like if there’s no bread or whatnot, you kind of drink water, and it’ll just flush out of you,” he said.

Sports content creator Tyler M. Webb reviewed Tagovailoa’s dietary changes and highlighted their scientific basis. Webb noted that when athletes suffer from dehydration, the volume of the cerebral spinal fluid decreases, reducing the cushion around the brain. He explained, “Dehydration has also been found to cause the lining of the cells in your brain to become more fragile,” which increases the risk of injury even from minor impacts.

Further support for Tagovailoa’s approach comes from a 2020 study conducted at Ole Miss. It found that athletes consuming over 475 grams of carbohydrates daily recuperated from concussions approximately four days faster than those who consumed less. This research suggests that the brain burns energy at a higher rate during healing, making carbohydrate intake vital for recovery.

Ultimately, by maintaining a higher intake of carbs and fluids, Tagovailoa is ensuring his brain’s protective cushion remains intact. His method of using simple dietary changes to combat a serious issue like concussion reveals that solutions can often be straightforward and right in front of us.