The B.B.C. relayed two programs titled as above. The first program concluded that dancing is better for the blood circulation than walking as it exercises all parts of the body including brain. Avoiding consumption of red meat, dairy products and sugar stops clogging of the arteries, heart and reduces obesity.
In the second program Angela Ripon and Dr. Van Tulleken presented the outcome of the research, on how to keep our brain young. 75% of the way our brain ages and shrinks depends on the lifestyle. The result of an experiment, showed that walking increases neurons and connection in the brain leading to improved memory and alertness more than playing table tennis. However, table tennis players use the brain and co-ordination, which increase the cells in the cortex, the outer circle of the brain, leading to the expansion of the brain. This improves executive functions like planning, organizing and complicated thinking.
In addition, learning a new skill, language, musical instrument or drawing, improves mental sharpness and wires the brain. Eating purple colour fruits and vegetables (high in Anthocyanin) i.e. blackberries, blueberries, aubergine, is beneficial.
With 200000 new cases of dementia, reported last week, keeping all parts of the brain active is absolutely vital.
Ila Kapadia
By email
