It’s no surprise that exercise has been demonstrated, by a lot of scientific evidence, to be healthy for us. It can preserve muscle function, keep the heart healthy, maintain healthy body weight, and help hold off chronic diseases.

Some research out of Harvard Medical School has shown that exercise can boost thinking skills as well.

Despite all the evidence that shows exercise to be a powerful preventive “medicine” for disability and illness of both mind and body, it’s shocking that only two out of every 10 American adults meet the recommended amounts of physical activity.

Exercise acts directly on the body by activating physiological changes in insulin resistance and inflammation. In addition, it encourages the production of growth factors, chemicals that induce the growth of new blood vessels and the survival and overall health of new brain cells. This can, in turn, boost thinking skills, memory, and other cognitive functions.

Indirectly, exercise can improve sleep, and mood, while reducing stress and anxiety all which can contribute to improved memory and cognition. More directly, regular exercise has been shown to be associated with an increase in the volume of certain areas of the brain.

What type of exercise is best?

There is debate on which kind of exercise is best for improving brain health, but many experts agree on establishing a goal of exercising at a moderate intensity for at least 150 minutes a week. It’s more important to get into the habit of staying active for your overall health and the health of your brain.

Written by PRO Club