Recently, experts analyzed 38 studies involving more than two million people worldwide. Not all of these people had dementia when the experiments began. Participants were observed by experts for at least three years.
During the follow-up period, 74,700 people developed dementia. When all factors were taken into account, it turned out that people who engaged in some type of activity in their spare time were 17 percent less likely to develop dementia.
All activities are divided into mental, physical and social. Reading or writing for pleasure, watching television, listening to the radio, playing games, playing musical instruments, working on the computer, doing handicrafts consisted of intellectual activities. People who did this had a 23 percent lower risk of developing dementia.
Activities related to physical activity included: running, walking, swimming, cycling, exercising on simulators, sports training, dancing, yoga. Those who participated in these activities were 17 percent less likely to develop dementia.
Social activities mainly include activities related to communication with other people. For example, this could be volunteering, participating in religious events, etc. Researchers found that social activities reduced the risk of dementia by 7 percent.
News cannot be equated with a doctor’s prescription. Consult an expert before making a decision.
Source: Ferra
