It’s common to relax with a binge-watching session on TV or by diving into the virtual world of video games after a tough day at the office. However, researchers are now highlighting that these popular pastimes might be affecting our brain health more than we once realised.
A study by the University of South Australia, involving 397 older adults, aimed to pinpoint how different daily activities influence dementia risk factors and cognitive decline. Bookworms and those who enjoy social activities have reason to celebrate, as reading, crafting, engaging in conversation, listening to tunes and prayer were found to support brain health.
Yet, experts caution that television and gaming could be detrimental. Dr Maddison Mellow, who worked on the project, explained: “We found that sedentary behaviours which promote mental stimulation or social engagement – such as reading or talking with friends – are beneficial for cognitive function, whereas others like watching TV or gaming have a negative effect. So, the type of activity is important.
“And, while the ‘move more, sit less’ message certainly holds true for cardiometabolic and brain health, our research shows that a more nuanced approach is needed when it comes to thinking about the link between sedentary behaviours and cognitive function.”
The NHS describes dementia as a syndrome associated with an ongoing decline of brain functioning. It’s estimated that over 944,000 people in the UK are living with dementia, including one in every 11 individuals aged over 65.
With the festive season upon us, you might have a long list of Christmas films and TV shows you’re eager to watch with loved ones. Although Dr Mellow asserts that this is perfectly fine, he suggests making minor adjustments if you’re interested in enhancing your long-term brain health.
She continued: “To achieve the best brain health and physical health benefits, you should prioritise movement that’s enjoyable and gets the heart rate up, as this has benefits for all aspects of health. But even small five-minute time swaps can have benefits.
“So, if you’re dead set on having a Christmas movie marathon, try to break up that time with some physical activity or a more cognitively engaged seated activity, like reading, at some point. That way you can slowly build up healthier habits.”
This advice comes in light of findings that suggest up to 45% of dementia cases could potentially be prevented through lifestyle changes. Research from the University of Oxford also highlighted that factors such as fatigue, alcohol consumption, and pollution could contribute to the risk after reviewing 40,000 brain scans.
Following the research, they said: “We know that a constellation of brain regions degenerates earlier in aging, and in this new study we have shown that these specific parts of the brain are most vulnerable to diabetes, traffic-related air pollution − increasingly a major player in dementia − and alcohol, of all the common risk factors for dementia.
“We have found that several variations in the genome influence this brain network, and they are implicated in cardiovascular deaths, schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, as well as with the two antigens of a little-known blood group, the elusive XG antigen system, which was an entirely new and unexpected finding.”