Regular Exercise Can Help Reduce Aging of the Brain
It was proven that physical activity in open air is associated with a bigger brain volume and a healthy aging of the brain – and can even stop cognitive decline and dementia. This can be explained by the fact that people that are more active present less metabolic and vascular risk factors. Even though the necessary levels of physical activity for preventing dementia aren’t precisely known, any type of physical activity is preferred to living a sedentary life. That is why at least 150 minutes of moderate and intense physical activity per week is recommended in order to generally lead a healthy lifestyle.
A recent study actually proved that moderate physical activity outdoors is linked with a bigger brain volume, and each extra physical activity was associated with lowered chances of brain aging of approximately one year and one month. Therefore, with longer bouts of physical activity under intense sunlight you get slower aging of brain and better cognitive processes for a longer time.
Regular exercise also improves memory
Research has also shown that regular exercise produces some changes in the human brain, in the sense that it protects memory and thinking abilities. Meanwhile, regular aerobic exercises enable the growth of the hippocampus – an important region of the brain that handles the learning process and verbal memory, compared to muscle toning exercises that did not have the same result.
Experts say that physical exercises help memory and cognition due to the fact that through exercise insulin resistance in the body is reduced, as well as inflammation, and it also stimulates growing hormones – those chemical substances in our brain that influence the health of brain cells, the development of new blood vessels in the brain, and even the growth of new brain cells.
Exercise also helps improve sleep quality and general mood by reducing stress and anxiety, so if you do not normally exercise, this would be a good time to start!
