Without exercise, the brain ages like a 70-year-old"s: here"s why

Scientists have proven: sedentary lifestyle accelerates brain aging

Modern science increasingly confirms what was previously only suspected: our brain directly depends on how actively we move.

Shocking discovery: lack of physical activity negatively affects not only the body but also significantly accelerates brain aging. The alarming signal is that this process can begin as early as 30-35 years of age, much earlier than previously thought.

Physical activity plays a key role in blood circulation. When moving, the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to all organs, including the brain, significantly improves. This has a direct impact on the quality of cognitive functions: memory, attention, learning ability, and decision-making. With insufficient blood supply, brain cells begin to suffer, neuroplasticity decreases, and the connection between different parts of the brain is disrupted.

Movement also significantly affects the level of hormones that are critically important for the brain. BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor) plays a special role. This unique protein helps neurons survive, develop, and form new connections. Regular physical exercise or even simple walking increases BDNF levels. In contrast, a sedentary lifestyle leads to a decrease in this important factor, which over time negatively affects the brain's ability to adapt and recover.

Striking fact: studies show that people with a sedentary lifestyle experience a decrease in hippocampus volume over time – a key brain area responsible for memory. This process can begin long before old age, and it is often mistakenly taken for "natural" aging.

In addition, insufficient physical activity is directly associated with an increased risk of developing dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and other neurodegenerative conditions. People who combine physical passivity with high levels of stress and sleep disorders are at particularly high risk.

It's important to note that we're not talking about professional sports. Even light daily activity – walking, morning exercises, yoga, swimming – can significantly slow down the brain aging process. The key factor is regularity. The brain "loves" when the body is in motion.

Thus, movement is not just a guarantee of body health, but also the key to a clear mind, stress resistance, and slowing cognitive aging. Lack of activity triggers processes that make the brain vulnerable and "aging" long before old age arrives.