www.eatingwell.com Open in urlscan Pro
13.224.96.34  Public Scan

Form analysis
2 forms found in the DOM

GET /search/

<form class="header-search-form" method="GET" data-tracking-zone="search-form" action="/search/"><label class="hidden-label" for="search-a">Search</label> <input type="text" class="search-field" value="" id="search-a" name="q"
    placeholder="Search EatingWell" aria-label="Search"> </form>

GET /search

<form method="GET" data-tracking-zone="search-form" action="/search"> <label class="search-label" for="explore-search">Search</label>
  <div class="search-container"> <input id="explore-search" name="q" type="text" class="search-field" value="" placeholder="Enter search term" title="Enter search term"> <button type="submit" class="icon search js-activate" title="Search"
      aria-label="Search"><span class="icon icon-search utility-icon color-navigation"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="24" height="24" viewBox="0 0 24 24">
          <path d="M15.5 14h-.79l-.28-.27A6.471 6.471 0 0 0 16 9.5 6.5 6.5 0 1 0 9.5 16c1.61 0 3.09-.59 4.23-1.57l.27.28v.79l5 4.99L20.49 19l-4.99-5zm-6 0C7.01 14 5 11.99 5 9.5S7.01 5 9.5 5 14 7.01 14 9.5 11.99 14 9.5 14z"></path>
        </svg></span> </button> </div>
</form>

Text Content

Skip to content




TOP NAVIGATION

Explore
EatingWell EatingWell
 * Healthy Recipes
 * Special Diets
 * Diabetes
 * Healthy Meal Plans
 * Healthy Eating
 * Healthy Lifestyle
 * Healthy Cooking
 * Shop
 * News
 * Videos


Search
Close


PROFILE MENU

Your Account
Your Account


ACCOUNT

 * Join Now
 * Email Preferences
 * Favorites
 * Newsletters
 * Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
 * Help
 * Logout

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


MORE

 * Give a Gift Subscription
 * Cooking Light Diet

Login
Subscribe
Pin FB


Close this dialog window


EXPLORE EATINGWELL

EatingWell EatingWell
 * Search
   
 * Explore
   
   
   EXPLORE
   
    * What Should You Eat Before and After Getting the COVID Vaccine? Here's
      What the Experts Say
      
      
      WHAT SHOULD YOU EAT BEFORE AND AFTER GETTING THE COVID VACCINE? HERE'S
      WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY
      
      Don't worry, you don't need a special diet to get your vaccine. But we
      talked to the CDC and doctors to learn more about drinking alcohol and if
      there were any foods it would be a good idea to eat or avoid before and
      after your shot. Read More
    * American Food Today with Padma Lakshmi
      
      
      AMERICAN FOOD TODAY WITH PADMA LAKSHMI
      
      With so many cultural influences from around the globe, America just might
      be the most exciting place to eat. Guest editor, award-winning cookbook
      author and TV host Padma Lakshmi takes a look at the diverse and delicious
      food Americans are serving up. Read More
    * 17 Easy Soups You'll Want to Make This Fall
      
      
      17 EASY SOUPS YOU'LL WANT TO MAKE THIS FALL
      
      Read More

 * Healthy Recipes
   
   
   HEALTHY RECIPES
   
   See All Healthy Recipes
    * Healthy Breakfast & Brunch Recipes
    * Healthy Lunch Recipes
    * Healthy Dinner Recipes
    * Healthy Snack Recipes
    * Healthy Dessert Recipes
    * Healthy Soup Recipes
    * Healthy Salad Recipes
    * Healthy Smoothie Recipes
    * Healthy Quick & Easy Recipes
    * Healthy Slow-Cooker & Crockpot Recipes
    * Healthy Kids Recipes
    * Healthy Holiday Recipes
    * Healthy Vegan Recipes
    * Healthy Vegetarian Recipes
    * Healthy Mediterranean Diet Recipes
    * Healthy Diabetes-Friendly Recipes
    * Healthy Low-Calorie Recipes
    * Healthy Weight Loss & Diet Recipes
    * More Lifestyle Diet Recipes
    * More Health Condition Recipes
    * More Dietary Restriction Recipes
    * More Nutrient Focused Recipes

 * Special Diets
   
   
   SPECIAL DIETS
   
   See All Special Diets
    * Clean Eating Diet Center
    * Mediterranean Diet Center
    * Low-Carb Diet Center
    * Weight Loss Center
    * Dairy-Free Diet Center
    * Gluten-Free Diet Center
    * High-Fiber Diet Center
    * Vegan Diet Center
    * Vegetarian Diet Center
    * Heart-Healthy Diet Center
    * Cholesterol Diet Center
    * Diabetes Diet Center
    * High Blood Pressure Diet Center
    * Low Sodium Diet Center
    * Healthy Aging Diet Center
    * Pregnancy Diet Center

 * Diabetes
   
   
   DIABETES
   
   See All Diabetes
    * Meal Plans for Diabetes
    * Diabetes-Friendly Recipes
    * Diabetes Diet Center

 * Healthy Meal Plans
   
   
   HEALTHY MEAL PLANS
   
   See All Healthy Meal Plans
    * Meal Planning 101
    * Dinner Plans
    * Clean Eating Meal Plans
    * Mediterranean Diet Meal Plans
    * Low-Carb Meal Plans
    * Weight-Loss Meal Plans
    * Dairy-Free Meal Plans
    * Gluten-Free Meal Plans
    * High-Fiber Meal Plans
    * Vegan Meal Plans
    * Vegetarian Meal Plans
    * Heart-Healthy Meal Plans
    * Low Cholesterol Meal Plans
    * Meal Plans for Diabetes
    * Blood Pressure Meal Plans
    * Low Sodium Meal Plans
    * Anti-Aging Meal Plans
    * Pregnancy Meal Plans
    * Healthy Kids Meal Plans
    * ThePrep

 * Healthy Eating
   
   
   HEALTHY EATING
   
   See All Healthy Eating
    * Healthy Eating 101
    * Eat More Vegetables
    * 30-Day Challenges
    * Good Food Fast
    * Healthy Eating for Kids
    * Best Healthy Foods
    * Green and Sustainable Eating
    * The Beet
    * Transformed

 * Healthy Lifestyle
   
   
   HEALTHY LIFESTYLE
   
   See All Healthy Lifestyle
    * Wine, Beer & Spirits Guide
    * Entertaining
    * EatingWell in Real Life
    * Plant Your Plate
    * Healthy Pets
    * American Food Heroes
    * Future of Food
    * Food with Purpose
    * Obsessed

 * Healthy Cooking
   
   
   HEALTHY COOKING
   
   See All Healthy Cooking
    * Healthy Cooking How-To's
    * Ask the Test Kitchen
    * Budget Cooking Guide
    * Thrifty
    * Heritage Cooking

 * Shop
   
   
   SHOP
   
   See All Shop
    * EatingWell Cookbooks & More
    * EatingWell Frozen Meals

 * News
 * Videos


PROFILE MENU

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Your Account
Your Account


ACCOUNT

 * Join Now
 * Email Preferences
 * Favorites
 * Newsletters
 * Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
 * Help
 * Logout

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


MORE

 * Give a Gift Subscription
 * Cooking Light Diet

Login
Sweepstakes


FOLLOW US




 1. Home
 2. News
 3. Doing This Healthy Habit Just 3 Times Per Week Could Reduce Your Dementia
    Risk


DOING THIS HEALTHY HABIT JUST 3 TIMES PER WEEK COULD REDUCE YOUR DEMENTIA RISK



Hint: You'll want to have those sneakers handy.

Karla Walsh
April 28, 2021
Advertisement
Pin FB More
Tweet Email Send Text Message Print
00:09
00:49


Share: Doing This Healthy Habit Just 3 Times Per Week Could Reduce Your Dementia
Risk
×
Direct Link
You might like
×


We know that aerobic activity is important for muscle strength, a healthy heart
and to give your lungs a workout. Scientists are discovering another fascinating
way something as simple as walking can improve your health: by increasing blood
flow to your brain, which may, in turn, lower your risk for dementia.





Related: 3 Things That Could Seriously Lower Your Risk for Dementia

When 70 men and women between age 55 to 80 with diagnosed mild memory loss
followed a specific exercise program for one year, the blood flow to their
brains increased, according to a March 2021 study in the Journal of Alzheimer's
Disease.

And this news might hit home to more of us than you'd imagine: As many as one in
five people 65 and older experience some form of mild cognitive impairment
(MCI), which might affect memory, decision-making, or reasoning skills. In many
cases, MCI progresses to dementia, including Alzheimer's disease.


Cut out of head with plants growing on a designed background

Credit: Getty Images / Paula Daniëlse

Participants in the study by researchers at UT Southwestern were randomly
assigned to one of two groups for 12 months:




 * 3 to 5 weekly stretching sessions, each lasting 30 to 40 minutes
 * 3 to 5 weekly brisk walks, each lasting 30 to 40 minutes

Both groups were supervised by exercise physiologists for the first four to six
weeks, then the participants logged their own workouts and wore a heart rate
monitor as they exercised.

Related: The #1 Food for Boosting Brain Health, According to a Dietitian



Among those who completed the study and fell in the aerobic group, they
displayed less stiff blood vessels in their necks and had more blood flow to
their brains. Those who stretched didn't experience similar changes.

"There is still a lot we don't know about the effects of exercise on cognitive
decline later in life. MCI and dementia are likely to be influenced by a complex
interplay of many factors, and we think that, at least for some people, exercise
is one of those factors," says C. Munro Cullum, Ph.D., professor of psychiatry
at UTSW and co-senior author of the study.



It's too soon to say from this study if the increased blood flow might directly
impact memory or other cognitive function, but an increase in blood flow could
precede changes to cognition, the researchers say. This finding will help direct
their future research.

"This is part of a growing body of evidence linking exercise with brain health,"
says study leader Rong Zhang, Ph.D., professor of neurology at UTSW. "We've
shown for the first time in a randomized trial in these older adults that
exercise gets more blood flowing to your brain."



Related: This Healthy Habit Can Help Boost Brain Health Later in Life

Earlier research proved that less blood flow to the brain is correlated to
dementia, and other studies have hinted at the fact that regular aerobic
exercise might boost cognition and memory later in life. More deep-dives are
needed to make a direct link and to prove that exercise is the cause for these
brain-boosting effects.



"Having physiological findings like this can also be useful for physicians when
they talk to their patients about the benefits of exercise. We now know, based
on a randomized, controlled trial, that exercise can increase blood flow to the
brain, which is a good thing," Zhang says.

In addition to memory, check out several ways physical activity improves your
mental health and mood. Need some help getting started with a regular routine?
Try this 21-day walking workout jumpstart!



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


POPULAR IN NEWS

More Close
 * A portrait of Kate Hudson on a designed background
   
   Pin
   
   
   KATE HUDSON JUST SHARED 2 WAYS TO LEVEL UP YOUR SQUATS—NO GYM REQUIRED
   
   Article
 * senior woman making coffee in the kitchen at home.
   
   Pin
   
   
   DRINKING THIS MUCH COFFEE EACH DAY MAY LEAD TO BRAIN SHRINKAGE AND INCREASE
   DEMENTIA RISK
   
   Video
 * What-Is-Hard75-The-Workout-Diet-Program-GettyImages-968549438
   
   Pin
   
   
   IS 75 HARD SAFE? HERE'S WHAT EXPERTS SAY ABOUT THE LATEST HEALTH PROGRAM
   BLOWING UP THE INTERNET
   
   Article
 * A portrait of Ayesha Curry next to a blueberry smoothie
   
   Pin
   
   
   AYESHA CURRY'S 2-MINUTE SMOOTHIE RECIPE IS HYDRATING AND HIGH IN PROTEIN
   
   Article
 * Tofu & Watercress Salad with Mango & Avocado
   
   Pin
   
   
   NEW RESEARCH SAYS TWEAKING JUST 10% OF YOUR DIET CAN HELP YOU LIVE LONGER
   
   Video
 * Butternut Squash Bisque with Almonds & Cilantro
   
   Pin
   
   
   EATING THIS FOOD MAY HELP PREVENT WRINKLES, ACCORDING TO NEW RESEARCH
   
   Article
 * A paper cut of of a head that has been torn and taped back together on a
   designed background
   
   Pin
   
   
   8 THINGS YOU SHOULDN'T DO WHEN TRYING TO PREVENT COGNITIVE DECLINE
   
   Video
 * Tofu Poke Bowl
   
   Pin
   
   
   THIS KIND OF DIET COULD LOWER YOUR RISK OF HEART DISEASE, ACCORDING TO THE
   AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION
   
   Video
 * Portrait of a senior woman reading a book at home
   
   Pin
   
   
   DOING THESE 3 THINGS CAN DELAY ALZHEIMER'S BY 5 YEARS, ACCORDING TO EXPERTS
   
   Video
 * A woman's hand holding a COVID-19 Vaccine Card on a designed background
   
   Pin
   
   
   HERE'S WHAT TO DO IF YOU LOSE YOUR COVID-19 VACCINE CARD 
   
   Article
 * A top view of a charcuterie board full of vegetables
   
   Pin
   
   
   THIS GORGEOUS CHARCUTERIE BOARD HAS ZERO WEIGHT WATCHERS POINTS
   
   Video
 * Joanna Gaines on a designed background
   
   Pin
   
   
   JOANNA GAINES' EASY BANANA BREAD IS "SERIOUSLY THE BEST BANANA BREAD EVER,"
   ACCORDING TO ONE FAN
   
   Video
 * 3 Le Creuset products on a designed background of galaxy print and zodiac
   signs
   
   Pin
   
   
   THE LE CREUSET PRODUCTS YOU SHOULD BUY, BASED ON YOUR ZODIAC SIGN
   
   Article
 * Giada De Laurentiis on a designed background
   
   Pin
   
   
   GIADA'S RECIPE FOR BANANA BREAD BROWNIES IS SO DELICIOUS, FANS ARE MAKING IT
   THREE TIMES A WEEK
   
   Article
 * Drew Barrymore Walmart Home Kitchen
   
   Pin
   
   
   DREW BARRYMORE'S KITCHEN LINE IS FINALLY BACK IN STOCK AT WALMART–AFTER
   SELLING OUT IN ONE DAY 
   
   Article
 * woman cyclist with a illustration of a brain in the background
   
   Pin
   
   
   THIS TYPE OF EXERCISE COULD REDUCE YOUR RISK OF DEMENTIA
   
   Video
 * Rebel Wilson/Instagram
   
   Pin
   
   
   REBEL WILSON SHARES A PHOTO FROM HER 'UNHEALTHIEST' TIME: 'USING FOOD TO NUMB
   MY EMOTIONS'
   
   Article
 * Smiling woman eating vegetable salad at home
   
   Pin
   
   
   NEW STUDY SAYS THAT YOUR METABOLISM DOESN'T REALLY SLOW DOWN UNTIL THIS AGE
   
   Video
 * prosecco pouring into a coupe glass with a frozen pink ice cube made of juice
   on a grey background
   
   Pin
   
   
   COCKTAIL BOMBS ARE THE TASTIEST—AND MOST CLEVER—WAY TO USE LAST YEAR'S COCOA
   BOMB MOLDS
   
   Article
 * Katie Ledecky on a designed background
   
   Pin
   
   
   THE #1 FOOD TO EAT BEFORE WORKING OUT, ACCORDING OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST KATIE
   LEDECKY
   
   Video


ALL TOPICS IN NEWS

 * Features

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Close this dialog window


SHARE & MORE


EatingWell


MAGAZINES & MORE




LEARN MORE

 * About Us
 * Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
 * Contact Us
 * Advertise
 * Content Licensing
 * Recipe Index
 * Jobs


CONNECT

Follow Us

Subscribe to Our Newsletters

Other Meredith Sites
Close this dialog window


OTHER MEREDITH SITES

 * 4 Your Health this link opens in a new tab
 * Allrecipes this link opens in a new tab
 * All People Quilt this link opens in a new tab
 * Better Homes & Gardens this link opens in a new tab
 * Bizrate Insights this link opens in a new tab
 * Bizrate Surveys this link opens in a new tab
 * Cooking Light this link opens in a new tab
 * Daily Paws this link opens in a new tab
 * Eat This, Not That this link opens in a new tab
 * Entertainment Weekly this link opens in a new tab
 * Food & Wine this link opens in a new tab
 * Health this link opens in a new tab
 * Hello Giggles this link opens in a new tab
 * Instyle this link opens in a new tab
 * Martha Stewart this link opens in a new tab
 * Midwest Living this link opens in a new tab
 * More this link opens in a new tab
 * MyRecipes this link opens in a new tab
 * MyWedding this link opens in a new tab
 * My Food and Family this link opens in a new tab
 * MyLife this link opens in a new tab
 * Parenting this link opens in a new tab
 * Parents this link opens in a new tab
 * People this link opens in a new tab
 * People en Español this link opens in a new tab
 * Rachael Ray Magazine this link opens in a new tab
 * Real Simple this link opens in a new tab
 * Ser Padres this link opens in a new tab
 * Shape this link opens in a new tab
 * Siempre Mujer this link opens in a new tab
 * Southern Living this link opens in a new tab
 * SwearBy this link opens in a new tab
 * Travel & Leisure this link opens in a new tab

Meredith© 2021 EatingWell.com is part of the Allrecipes Food Group. EatingWell
may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this
website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. All Right Reserved. Use
of this site constitutes acceptance of our Privacy Policythis link opens in a
new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens
in a new tab Cookies Settings Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
© Copyright . All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.eatingwell.com


Close this dialog window


VIEW IMAGE

Doing This Healthy Habit Just 3 Times Per Week Could Reduce Your Dementia Risk
this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility
guidelines.



PRIVACY PREFERENCE CENTER




YOUR PRIVACY


YOUR PRIVACY

When you visit any web site, it may store or retrieve information on your
browser, mostly in the form of cookies. This information might be about you,
your preferences or your device and is mostly used to make the site work as you
expect it to. The information does not usually directly identify you, but it can
give you a more personalised web experience. Because we respect your right to
privacy, you can choose not to allow some types of cookies. Click on the
different category headings to find out more and change our default settings.
However, blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience of the site
and the services we are able to offer.
More information


 * STRICTLY NECESSARY COOKIES
   
   
   STRICTLY NECESSARY COOKIES
   
   Always Active
   Strictly Necessary Cookies
   
   These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be
   switched off in our systems. They are usually only set in response to actions
   made by you which amount to a request for services, such as setting your
   privacy preferences, logging in or filling in forms.    You can set your
   browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site
   will not then work. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable
   information.


 * PERFORMANCE COOKIES
   
   
   PERFORMANCE COOKIES
   
   Performance Cookies
   
   These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure
   and improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are
   the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site.    All
   information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. If
   you do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our
   site, and will not be able to monitor its performance.


 * FUNCTIONAL COOKIES
   
   
   FUNCTIONAL COOKIES
   
   Functional Cookies
   
   These cookies enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and
   personalisation. They may be set by us or by third party providers whose
   services we have added to our pages.    If you do not allow these cookies
   then some or all of these services may not function properly.


 * TARGETING COOKIES
   
   
   TARGETING COOKIES
   
   Targeting Cookies
   
   These cookies may be set through our site by our advertising partners. They
   may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show
   you relevant adverts on other sites.    They do not store directly personal
   information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet
   device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted
   advertising.


 * SOCIAL MEDIA COOKIES
   
   
   SOCIAL MEDIA COOKIES
   
   Social Media Cookies
   
   These cookies are set by a range of social media services that we have added
   to the site to enable you to share our content with your friends and
   networks. They are capable of tracking your browser across other sites and
   building up a profile of your interests. This may impact the content and
   messages you see on other websites you visit.    If you do not allow these
   cookies you may not be able to use or see these sharing tools.

Back Button


ADVERTISING COOKIES

Filter Button
Consent Leg.Interest
Select All Vendors
Select All Vendors
Select All Hosts

Select All



Clear Filters

Information storage and access
Apply
Confirm My Choices


When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser,
mostly in the form of cookies. Cookies collect information about your
preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it
to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements
that are targeted to your interests. You can find out more and change our
default settings with Cookies Settings.

Cookies Settings Accept Cookies