Walk today and stay mentally sharp tomorrow
If you want to stay mentally sharp into old age, start walking. People who walk at least six miles a week have larger brains and better memories by the time they reach retirement age.
Walking has a direct positive effect on our brain and mental capacities, researchers from the University of Pittsburgh discovered when they assessed the walking habits of 299 healthy volunteers for four years.
At the end of the four-year trial, 40 per cent of the volunteers had developed some cognitive impairment or dementia – but those who walked the most cut their risks in half.
Those who walked at least 72 blocks a week – roughly six to nine miles – had bigger brains compared to those who didn’t walk as much.
(Source: Neurology, 2010; doi: 10.1212/WNL.0b013e3181f88359).