Tag: study

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Skipping breakfast is making you gain weight, according to a new study | The State

The number 1 breakfast for healthy and nutritious weight loss | The State
The number 1 breakfast for healthy and nutritious weight loss | The State

A good breakfast involves between 20 and 25% of the nutritional intake of the day and it is recommended that it contains between 300 and 400 calories.

Photo:
Image by StockSnap from Pixabay / Pixabay

In the last months much has been said about breakfast, the main reason is due to the indisputable popularity that the intermittent fasting In such a way that many Doubts and questioning in both ways, that is some specialists defend that breakfast is The most important meal of the day, while others claim that skip breakfast has positive consequences on health and disease prevention.

Although years ago our grandmothers and moms they considered a crime leave home without breakfast, today we know that the quality of food What do we have for breakfast? the most important factor. However currently with so many pressures, stress and lack of time, during a busy morning it is easy to leave breakfast at the last place on the priority list. However recently they have come to light diverse studies, in which it is verified that the simple fact of taking a few minutes in the morning to eat something can really make a difference in your day.

A nutritious and healthy breakfast, provides many benefits in health and general well-being. It is the first food of the day with which we break the fast through which we pass naturally during sleep hours and is responsible for provide fuel to the body and brain. So that without breakfast, effectively the organism you start to run out of fuel, is the comparative to trying to start a car without gas.

Nutritionists advise: breakfast should be taken within two hours after waking up and this should provide a range between 20-35% of daily caloriesto. In addition to providing us with energy, some specific breakfast foods are a good source of important nutrients as calcium, iron and B vitamins, as well as protein and fiber. The body needs these essential nutrients and research indicates that typically missing the opportunity to get these nutrients during breakfast makes it less likely to clear up later in the day.

It is well known that fruits and vegetables are good sources of vitamins and minerals, so the simple fact of include a portion from five a day at breakfast; be it a banana, an apple, red berries or a glass of green juice It will make a difference!

Breakfast has also been shown to be good for the waistline, Research shows that those who eat breakfast have less likely to be overweight and more likely to be within your ideal weight range compared to those who they don’t eat breakfast. In a way it is believed that skip breakfast, is the direct path to greater consumption of sugar-rich snacks and fats half morning.

In fact, a new investigation confirms the belief that breakfast is really The most important meal of the day. In this study, which was published in The Journal of Nutrition on December 31, 2020; the changes in body weight of 65,099 women during a period of three years. The researchers also monitored the frequency of your breakfasts and meals, and a quarter of the women reported themselves as having breakfast every day. Overall, what the study showed is that 18.4% of the participantss increased 11 pounds or more between 2008 and 2011. Additionally according to the rate of weight gain among women who ate a meal in the morning was a 7% lower what i know they skipped breakfast completely.

In such a way that this new review according to its authors, verifies that regular breakfast It can be a important dietary factor for him body weight change and also to avoid the development of metabolic problems. Additionally it is worth mentioning that this theory is also endorsed by other experts, as some dietitians say that eat within an hour later waking up is the best for maintain optimal energy levels during the morning. Another study recently discovered that consuming a high-protein breakfast before exercise can help burn more fat and keep us satisfied even after the end of training session. What it suggests to eat a nutritious breakfast before physical activity, it can be a great element to promote good health and body weight.

Finally it’s all about balance, therefore it is just as important to feed the body in the morning as the quality of the breakfast. LThe key is to choose the correct and balanced foods, bet on the consumption of citrus fruits, berries, apple, banana, kiwi and mango. As well is essential ensure correct consumption of proteins, healthy fats, nuts and seeds.

Having a good and nutritious breakfast is a habit that will not only help you meet your body weight goals, rise the levels of energy, enhances concentration and intellectual performance, and benefits the mood.

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Headline USA

A New Study Finds 6 Months On A Low-Carb Diet Fights Type 2 Diabetes | The State

A New Study Finds 6 Months On A Low-Carb Diet Fights Type 2 Diabetes | The State
A New Study Finds 6 Months On A Low-Carb Diet Fights Type 2 Diabetes | The State

Lately all nutrition trends and Health, they talk about the medicinal benefits what does following a low carb diet. Recently a new study, endorses the benefits of this dietary pattern such as best option so that patients with type 2 diabetes go into remission. In fact the meta-analysis findings, published in BMJ, are consistent with the official recommendation of the American Diabetes Association about the immense benefits of limiting carbohydrates. They estimate that it is the best method for lower blood sugar.

In this analysis, data from 23 randomized controlled trials that involved more than 1300 participants with type 2 diabetes. Most of the studies compared a low-carb diet or very low in carbohydrates, defined as less than 26% or 10% of calories daily, and also low in fat. The results were relevant, the patients who followed a low-carbohydrate diet for six months they got higher remission rates than those who tried other types of dietary changes.

Complementary to this study, there are more references. Such is the case of the experience of Dr. Mark Cucuzzella, professor of the School of Medicine of the West Virginia University who has published various studies on changes in diet and diabetes, who stated that reduce carbohydrate intake and eating foods that are richer in nutrients could help patients to reverse the course of the disease. At the same time he stated in an interview: “The good news about diabetes is that it is a dietary disease, so it is reversible with measures de lifestyle that target carbohydrates.

So this theory makes sense with recent recommendations about the benefits of ketogenic diet to help control blood glucose levels. At the same time Cucuzzella declared that normally lpeople with type 2 diabetes are ‘Intolerant to carbohydrates’, though the term that doctors they usually use for describe type 2 diabetes is “Insulin resistance” people with the condition could also be considered carbohydrate intolerant. Their bodies they do not metabolize neither respond well to carbohydrates, and the final result is high insulin levels, which precede high hyperglycemia.

Therefore regarding the dietary specifications, fats and proteins do not cause blood sugar levels to rise as with carbohydrates. So that reduce the consumption of sweets and starches, it is of great help to help patients to keep their diabetes under control along with medications and timely medical follow-up.

However doctors and nutritionists They argue that the difficult part is maintaining a low-carb lifestyle. It is worth mentioning that the most benefits of a low carbohydrate diet are observed after six months, among which aspects such as weight loss stand out, lower body fat percentage and the reduction of drug use, decreased after 12 months, as the analysis found.

In such a way that the decrease in Benefits could occur because patients they stop following the diet over time. Finally the key to long-term success and that without a doubt will lead us to have a optimal health, healthy weight and live better and longer, It will always be constancy.

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Health

Study: College Campuses Are COVID ‘Superspreaders’

Study: College Campuses Are COVID ‘Superspreaders’
Study: College Campuses Are COVID ‘Superspreaders’


WEDNESDAY, Jan. 13, 2021 (HealthDay News) — U.S. colleges could be COVID-19 superspreader sites, and the first two weeks of classes are the most dangerous, researchers warn.

They studied 30 campuses nationwide with the highest numbers of reported coronavirus cases and found that more than half had spikes that peaked well above 1,000 cases per 100,000 people per week within the first two weeks of class.

On some campuses, 1 in 5 students had been infected with the virus by the end of the fall term. Four of the schools had more than 5,000 cases.

On 17 of the campuses, computer modeling showed that college outbreaks were also directly connected with infection peaks in the counties where the schools were located.

Luckily, the researchers also found that strict management of outbreaks — such as immediately switching from in-person to online learning — can lower infection peaks within about two weeks.

The study was published Jan. 13 in the journal Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering.

When compared to peak incidences of 70 to 150 per 100,000 people per week in the first and second waves of the COVID-19 pandemic, the rate of 1,000 cases per 100,000 people per week found in the study shows that colleges are at high risk for extremely high rates of infection, said lead author Hannah Lu, of Stanford University’s Energy Resources Engineering program.

“Policymakers often use an incidence of 50 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people per week as a threshold for high-risk counties, states, or countries. All 30 institutions in our study exceeded this value, three even by two orders of that magnitude,” Lu said in a journal news release.

“The number of students who had become infected just throughout the fall is more than twice the national average since the beginning of the outbreak of 5.3%, with 17.3 million reported cases at a population of 328.2 million,” she noted.

For example, all 12,607 students at the University of Notre Dame were tested before the beginning of class and only nine tested positive. Less than two weeks into the term, the seven-day incidence was 3,083.





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Drinking This Tea May Help You Burn Fat While You Sleep, According to New Study | The State

Drinking This Tea May Help You Burn Fat While You Sleep, According to New Study | The State
Drinking This Tea May Help You Burn Fat While You Sleep, According to New Study | The State

Oolong tea is very rich in antioxidants, low in calories and the best nighttime ally to eliminate abdominal fat.

Photo:
Image by StockSnap from Pixabay / Pixabay

Any tool that we help lose weight is well received, especially today with a such wide offer of options that facilitate the way. Without a doubt, one of the most important aspects when losing weight is remove belly fat and it is precisely one of the more difficult to achieve, that is why today one of the main recommendations are the HIIT workouts and practice intermittent fasting. And not so surprisingly with regard to food recommendations, tea intake has positioned itself as a powerful element.

A new research published in the Nutrients magazine reveals that drink oolong tea It may be a key dietary addition for burn calories while we sleep. More specifically, researchers from the Tsukuba University in Japan, they found that drink only two cups of this variety of traditional chinese tea everyday, accelerates the fat burning processes in the body.

What are the benefits of oolong tea in burning fat?

Like all teas, oolong contains caffeine, it is well known that it is a substance that affects energy metabolism by increasing our heart rate. That is why, broadly speaking, tea is considered not only one of the healthiest drinks on the planet, but a superb slimming agent. In a particular way the studies endorse that drinking oolong tea can also increase fat breakdownregardless of the effects of caffeine. According to statements by lead study author, Professor Kumpei: “We wanted to examine the effects of oolong consumption versus caffeine on energy and fat metabolism among a group of healthy volunteers ”.

After study participants for two weeks, the researchers found that oolong tea, what is partially rusty and is not considered entirely as a green or black tea, since it shows the characteristics of both, and pure caffeine increased the fat degradation by 20% compared to those who they took a placebo.

One of the most impressive finds is that the positive effects of oolong tea in the body they remained active All night long. Interestingly, neither the group that drank oolong tea or pure caffeine during that two week period he experienced a increase in energy expenditure. This observation suggests that participants may have developed tolerance to stimulant effects of both treatments. Besides this, there was no noticeable changes in sleep patterns of any of the groups, not even in the time that they took time to fall asleep, despite the fact that both treatments included caffeine, a known sleep disruptor.

Remember that the lack of sleep or poor quality restare considered factors that can significantly affect weight loss and they also usually alter energy metabolism, which can cause a weight gain over time. However, the oolong did not appear to have no negative effect on sleep of the participants.

So the million dollar question Should we drink a cup of oolong tea every night? The teacher points out that although the effects of oolong tea on fat breakdown During the dream, position it as a good ally to control body weight, it is unclear whether these effects will actually lead to Loss of fat during a extended period of time. However finally it will never be bad or counterproductive to drink tea, and what better if the variant helps us burn fat and lose weight.

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Canada

School helps spread COVID-19 in Montreal, new study finds

School helps spread COVID-19 in Montreal, new study finds
School helps spread COVID-19 in Montreal, new study finds

Professor Simona Bignami will not send her child to school after she has just co-signed a new study that points to the school community as a vector of transmission of COVID-19 in Montreal.

• Read also: COVID-19: an increase in cases to be expected with the return to class

• Read also: No need to invest in mechanical ventilation, argues an expert

A professor in the demography department of the University of Montreal and a researcher at CIRANO, Ms. Bignami was interviewed by QUB radio on Monday morning, when it is the first day of school in Quebec for elementary school students.

The CIRANO report, which will be published on Tuesday, shows, among other things, that the increase in cases for the 10-19 age group preceded the increase in cases among adults aged 30-49, i.e. parents, on the island of Montreal.

According to the study, this would therefore mean that transmission among young people is not the “consequence, but rather an important determinant, of the general level of infection in neighboring communities”.

“I think that the reopening of schools today, for sure that will imply an increase in new cases which will reduce the effectiveness of the other measures that the government has put in place,” Ms. Bignami told Caroline Saint-Hilaire to QUB radio. While she recognizes the benefits of attending face-to-face classes for children, the researcher argues that it must be done safely.

“At the moment […] it’s not safe for them, it willn’t allow us to flatten the curve, ”she adds.

  • LISTEN to Simona Bignami’s full interview on QUB radio:

The Journal is looking for testimonials from people who have unknowingly been carriers of COVID-19 and who have seen those around them fall ill when they themselves had no symptoms. Since the start of the pandemic, many asymptomatic people have infected those around them without knowing it. This has happened in particular in CHSLDs and sports circles. We would love to hear from you if you have experienced such a situation.

You can write to our journalist Simon Baillargeon ([email protected])

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Headline USA

This Popular Everyday Ingredient Reduces Diabetes Risk, Recent Study Finds The State

This Popular Everyday Ingredient Reduces Diabetes Risk, Recent Study Finds The State
This Popular Everyday Ingredient Reduces Diabetes Risk, Recent Study Finds The State

Have a chronic health condition it is a serious thing, not in vain heart disease, cancer, respiratory diseases and diabetes, are considered the main causes of death in the world. In fact, according to data released by the World Health Organization, are responsible for 63% of annual deaths.

Of specific way in recent years there has been a increased cases of diabetes, which the most recognized specialists directly relate to the Lifestyle of the Modern society. Although it seems that there is an awakening to live healthier, we face a major health challenge, especially considering the high consumption of processed foods and fast foods.

It is well known that one of the main factors that trigger diabetes is the Lifestyle and fed hern, that is why the main measure is make dietary adjustments and of course the adequate medical follow-up. Taking into account that mmore than 34 million Americans suffer from diabetes, according to data released by Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It is worth paying special attention to our daily habits and customs, in these cases between the 90 and 95% have “type 2” diabetes, which is caused by insulin resistance (as opposed to “type 1” which is caused by a failure in insulin production). The truth is insulin management It is a very important health issue, in fact according to information released with Mayo Clinic if insulin resistance is not adequately controlled, they rise the blood sugar levels and provoke serious health consequences and life threatening.

It is true that some risk factor’s of diabetes are out of our control, however others are “Modifiable” including the body weight. Since the weight is so influenced by diet, for years the most renowned scientists have tried to identify which foods are associated with a higher and lower risk of diabetes. The studies they don’t lie and they are forceful, it has various references in which I know has shown that excess sugar in the diet, is a factor that contributes directly to a increased risk of diabetes. The studies have also shown that high-fat diets, especially those high in saturated fats (for example, animal fats), are associated with insulin resistance, What is it the basis of type 2 diabetes.

In such a way it is easy to understand the reason why various organizations of public health, continues to recommend to Americans that limit your fat intake less than 30% of your total calories and consume only unsaturated fats and Omega-3 fatty acids (generally found in vegetable fats and some fatty fish). This also means eliminate saturated fat and trans.

Specifically in last years, scientists have wondered much more deeply about the role of fat in the diet and in fact they have discovered that it is a subject with many more nuances of which it was believed. It is because of that researchers from German Center for Diabetes Research they set out to investigate the relationship between diabetes and various types of dietary fats.

The results were overwhelming and surprising, based in 2. 3 existing clinical studies and which were published in the scientific journal: PLOS Medicine. The team found no association between the consumption of fat in the diet and the risk of type 2 diabetes, and also concluded that vegetable oil partnered with a lower risk of diabetes, but only in camounts less than 13 grams per day. Taking into account that these revelations completely contradict the current recommendations, everyone’s question is: Do we really need to consume 13 grams of vegetable oil a day to reduce the risk of diabetes?

exist diverse opinions in this regard, the main question is that the team of scientists of the German Center for Diabetes Research did not specify what vegetable oil they could be talking. And it is generally well known that for years, certain vegetable oils have not received a scientific stamp of approval.

The reality is that they exist some types of vegetable oils What do we know they are harmful and that its consumption is associated with negative consequences for health, and those are the variants that precisely avoid at all costs. And that in fact are characterized by being widely used in the food industry, that is, in everything processed, among which the Palm oil, and most of the varieties of seed oils: rapeseed, sunflower, safflower, rice bran, grape seed and corn. Being the healthier alternatives, the oils of are obtained from fruits, such as olive, coconut and avocado.

The results of this study aroused many doubts and curiosity, so the digital medium Eat this, was given the task of seeking the opinion of a recognized specialist the doctor Leann poston, hoping to better understand what to do with these novel results. Who according to your experience do not take study so seriously, because in a certain way despite being endorsed by good scientists, it did not reach the degree of establish specific dietary recommendations. What means that they simply confirm that people who consume a a certain amount of vegetable oil, they have less tendency to develop diabetes. Which in a way we have known for many years, especially with immense benefits consumption of olive oil, we have all kinds of scientific studies who recommend it.

The conclusion about better and more effective recommendations, to reduce the risk of suffer from diabetes; remain focused on follow a healthy and balanced diet. And without a doubt trends like Mediterranean diet, are still one of the best and most recommended schemes. It is a diet that goes beyond a nutritional guideline, its bases make up a lifestyle that promotes health, physical and mental well-being, and of course longevity and healthy body weight.

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Headline USA

Discover the Popular and Colorful Diet That Reduces Prostate Cancer Risk, New Study Finds | The State

The 6 Best Food Sources of Protein That Help You Lose Weight Faster | The State
The 6 Best Food Sources of Protein That Help You Lose Weight Faster | The State

In the last days everyone talks about the wonders of the Mediterranean diet, which has been named for the fourth consecutive year as the best diet of 2021.Not only has scientifically proven which is a dietary pattern that benefits health on many levels, orn new study of the M. D. Anderson Cancer Center of the University of Texas has found that the men with prostate cancer who consume a stricter mediterranean diet can experience a lower risk of progression.

Said study included the participation of 410 men with prostate cancer, to whom according to a questionnaire food frequency they were assigned a high, medium or low score on the Mediterranean diet. The researchers found that male participants who ate more fruits, vegetables, grains, fish, olive oil, nuts, legumes, beans and seeds; that is, the 9 groups of staple foods of the Mediterranean diet, they had minor symptoms and progression in disease.

He prostate cancer is the type of cancer more common among men and according to information released by American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), every year the figures increase. It is estimated that the last year was diagnosed with prostate cancer to 174,650 mans in the U.S and approximately the 60% of cases were men over 65. The mean age of diagnosis is 66 years; for unknown reasons, the risk of prostate cancer it’s about a 60% higher in black men that in the white men.

The disease rarely occurs before age 40, undoubtedly a very relevant data for create greater awareness in the prevention of this type of male cancer. AND feeding and the lifestyle, are a big part of the secret.

Another of the important findings of said study: than 8.1% of the men in the study who self-identified as blacks, those who followed a high degree of Mediterranean diet they saw the biggest decrease at the risk of progression of prostate cancer. The study authors say this is significant because the black men they have a 60% more chance to be diagnosed with this type of cancer.

The good news is that through feeding and new habits focused on the Lifestyle, men not only with prostate cancer, but those with a disease in the male reproductive system (for example inflammation of the prostate), can find a way to impact the progression of your disease and Improve your quality of life.

In such a way that the Mediterranean diet It is not only the best alternative for be healthier, prevent diseases, live longer and lose weight, it is also a powerful toolagainst cancer and specifically that of the prostate. After such valuable information that science makes available to us, you will have no doubts to start 2021 with a new challenge and Lifestyle that will only do you gain health and wellness.

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UAE

G42 Healthcare successfully completes genomics study in UAE to identify COVID-19 virus sequence

G42 Healthcare successfully completes genomics study in UAE to identify COVID-19 virus sequence
G42 Healthcare successfully completes genomics study in UAE to identify COVID-19 virus sequence

The viral genome sequencing was performed on 1,067 nasopharyngeal swab samples collected in Abu Dhabi between May and June 2020.
Image Credit: Supplied

Abu Dhabi: Healthcare, a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi-based Group 42, has conducted a SARS-CoV-2 genome sequencing study that has identified the genomic source of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The study will help determine the spread and evolution patterns of the virus since the disease was first recorded in the UAE. The entire study will be published as scientific paper, which is now in final stages of production.

The study also provides additional insights for sustainable screening of the SARS-CoV-2 dynamics and will help the country better prepare for future outbreaks.

By analysing the effect of community infections on the spread of COVID-19 in the UAE, researchers can better understand the viral mutations and gain insights into their role in sustaining the pandemic despite the stringent control measures put in place by health authorities.

One of the key objectives of this longitudinal study is to assess the potential emergence of a more virulent subtype and its potential effect on the country’s infection control strategies as the pandemic progresses. This is particularly timely and important considering the new, more infectious strain of the virus discovered in the UK, underlining the role of predictive analysis and data in enhancing response to the pandemic.

The viral genome sequencing was performed on 1,067 nasopharyngeal swab samples collected in Abu Dhabi between May and June 2020, in accordance with the local regulation and under the guidance of the Department of Health (DoH), Abu Dhabi. The analysis revealed unique genetic variations specific to the UAE virus strains and the patterns of the virus’s introduction.

Results from this study will in turn translate into improvements in diagnostic accuracy and sensitivity. This might lead to re-designing of new PCR primers, that can be added into current primer pools, to target potential new viral mutations that might today be absent in imported kits currently on the market.

Ashish Koshy, CEO of G42 Healthcare, said: “Our latest endeavour strengthens our commitment to ensure impactful public healthcare solutions in the fight against the pandemic and raise the bar when it comes to accurate and reliable testing.

“For this study, we have capitalised on our strength of unparalleled genomics solutions, which is a key driver of the population genome program launched by G42 Healthcare in December 2019 under the guidance of the Department of Health, and that aims to create a reference genome specific to UAE citizens to enable a predictive, preventive and personalized healthcare system in the country.

“Our genomics technology and scalable expertise strongly support the UAE’s national genome project, while also underpinning our groundbreaking work during the pandemic, which has enabled us to create unmatched solutions that will change the face of the healthcare sector for the better.”

A key player in the race to find a solution to the global pandemic, G42 Healthcare provided the technology to generate relevant and insightful data for this study. Harnessing the power of AI and a well-established genomics lab, the project was furnished with short read sequencing technologies and the cloud computing resources required for the massive throughput of data.

G42 Healthcare is also the facilitator of the first Phase III trials of an inactivated vaccine for COVID-19 in the pan-Arab region, with over 43,000 volunteers from 125 nationalities participating in the trials that was launched in the UAE on 16 July 2020.

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Football USA Headline USA Sports USA

Mind-blowing numbers: Study reveals how much Nike and Adidas invest in sports sponsorships | The State

Mind-blowing numbers: Study reveals how much Nike and Adidas invest in sports sponsorships | The State
Mind-blowing numbers: Study reveals how much Nike and Adidas invest in sports sponsorships | The State

A new study showing that sport is a great investment for the world’s top brands has come to light.

And it is that GlobalData Sport Intelligence Center managed to find out that between Nike and Adidas, the two largest sports brands in the world, invest more than $ 3 billion annually in sponsorships!

The report details that the popcorn brand is the one that spends the most in this regard, since it invests $ 1,673 million in its athletes, while the signature of the three stripes spends $ 1,405 million annually.

It should be noted that both have football as their main asset and that they have the biggest stars on the planet in their portfolio:

Adidas has:

  1. Lionel messi (soccer)
  2. James harden (basketball)
  3. Zinedine Zidane (soccer)
  4. Mohamed salah (soccer)
  5. Patrick Mahomes (football)

Nike has:

  1. Cristiano Ronaldo (soccer)
  2. Rafael Nadal (tennis)
  3. Lebron James (basketball)
  4. Simone biles (gymnastics)
  5. Tiger Woods (Golf)

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Headline USA

Ten minutes of physical exercise a day can prevent the brain from decline, study shows 

Ten minutes of physical exercise a day can prevent the brain from decline, study shows 
Ten minutes of physical exercise a day can prevent the brain from decline, study shows 

Just ten minutes of physical exercise a day during middle age can prevent the brain from decline, study shows

  • Researchers studied 1,600 people over a period of 25 years looking at activity
  • They found that those active in middle age had healthier brains later in life
  • The team say 10 minutes of daily exercise can reduce the risk of brain issues 

By Ryan Morrison For Mailonline

Published: | Updated:

Getting ten minutes of physical exercise a day while in middle age can help to protect your brain from decline as you get older, a new study shows. 

Regular physical activity – such as walking briskly, running or cycling – in middle age into later life is associated with less brain damage 25 years later, say scientists.

Colombia University Irving Medical Center researchers studied 1,600 people with an average age of 53 who had attended five physical examinations over 25 years.

Their findings suggest greater amounts of ‘moderate-to-vigorous intensity’ physical activity in middle age have a ‘protective’ effect on the brain as you get older.

Regular physical activity – such as walking briskly, running or cycling – in middle age into later life is associated with less brain damage 25 years later, say scientists. Stock image 

The participants involved in the study rated their weekly activity levels once at the start and again at two additional times over the 25 year period.

Each person reported the amount of time they engaged in moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity, which researchers classified as none, low, middle or high.

The researchers then used brain scans to measure participants’ grey and white brain matter and lesions, or areas of injury or disease in the brain, at the end of the study.

Study author Priya Palta said the findings suggest physical activity – particularly during mid-life – is closely linked to brain health.

‘Getting at least an hour and 15 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity a week may be important throughout your lifetime for promoting brain health and preserving the actual structure of your brain,’ Palta said.

‘In particular, engaging in more than two-and-a-half hours of physical activity per week in middle age was associated with fewer signs of brain disease.’

After adjusting for lifestyle factors and demographics people with no moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in mid-life had a 47 per cent greater chance of developing small areas of brain damage after 25 years than those who did exercise. 

Researchers used brain scans to measure the amount of damage to the brain’s white matter – the tissue composed of nerve fibres connecting different regions.regions – and found higher activity levels were linked to more intact white matter. 

The team also looked at movement of water molecules in the brain tissue. 

Participants who reported high physical activity in mid-life had movement that was more beneficial, compared to participants who reported no activity in mid-life.

The researchers then used brain scans to measure participants' grey and white brain matter and lesions, or areas of injury or disease in the brain, at the end of the study. Stock image

The researchers then used brain scans to measure participants’ grey and white brain matter and lesions, or areas of injury or disease in the brain, at the end of the study. Stock image

Dr Palta said the results show being active in mid-life has real brain benefits, particularly ‘consistently high levels of mid-life moderate-to-vigour physical activity’. 

Other research has shown that brain lesions may be caused by inflammation or other damage to the small blood vessels in the brain.

Dr Palta added: ‘Our research suggests that physical activity may impact cognition in part through its effects on small vessels in the brain.

‘This study adds to the body of evidence showing that exercise with moderate-to-vigorous intensity is important for maintaining thinking skills throughout your lifetime.’

The study has been published in Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.