Physical activity and diet improve brain function in older adults

Physical activity, a Mediterranean diet, and cognitive exercises may improve brain function in older adults with already reduced cognitive abilities. This was shown by a large randomized study involving more than 11 thousand people aged 60 to 85 years. The results were published in The Lancet Primary Care.

The participants were divided into three groups. The first used the online program Active Brains with recommendations for physical activity, Mediterranean nutrition and brain exercises. The second group additionally received three short consultations by phone or e-mail, and the control group received the usual recommendations for maintaining cognitive health.

After a year, thinking scores improved in all groups, but the most pronounced effect was observed in people who used the online program and additionally received support from specialists. Their scores on the verbal reasoning test were, on average, almost one point higher than those in the control group.

By the end of the study, about a third of the participants no longer met the criteria for age-related cognitive decline. The supplemental support group also had fewer people with scores consistent with mild or severe cognitive impairment.

According to scientists, maintaining cognitive health can be achieved through relatively simple lifestyle changes that do not require drug therapy. However, it is not yet known whether such measures can prevent dementia.