If You Take Care of Your Heart, You’re Taking Care of Your Brain
You know how to take care of your heart: Eat a healthy diet, get plenty of exercise, don’t smoke, and don’t drink too much. These healthy habits are good for your brain, too. Researchers tracked 1,588 dementia-free older adults for 21 years. At the end of the study period, they tallied up each person’s risk factors for heart disease, such as smoking, drinking, obesity, cholesterol, and blood pressure. They also tested memory and thinking skills. Those who had greater risk for heart disease also had a faster decline in brain performance over the years.