Reduce Dementia Risk by 25% with Simple Lifestyle Changes, Study Suggests
Regular exercise and approximately seven hours of sleep each night could reduce dementia risk by as much as 25%, according to a comprehensive new study published Wednesday in the journal PLOS One.
Researchers from York University in Canada analyzed data from 69 studies encompassing nearly 3 million people across eight decades. The findings reveal that simple, achievable lifestyle modifications—not expensive longevity hacks—can significantly protect brain health as we age.
The research showed that sleeping between seven and eight hours nightly was optimal for brain health. Sleeping less than seven hours increased dementia risk by 18%, while sleeping more than eight hours raised the risk by 28%. Meanwhile, sitting for more than eight hours per day increased dementia risk by almost 30%.
“You don’t need to be perfect, but if you have a lot of sedentary time in your day, getting a bit of exercise, even if that’s just going for a walk, will have a long-term benefit for the brain,” said Phillip Hwang, assistant professor of epidemiology at Boston University School of Public Health, who was not involved in the study.
The studies followed participants for up to 11 years, measuring how sleeping, sitting, and physical activity habits starting at age 35 affected dementia risk later in life. The research demonstrates that moderate physical activity can offset dementia risks even when other risk factors are present, offering hope for millions concerned about cognitive decline.
Source: NBC News