Can Exercise and Coffee Take the Edge off Dementia?


The Orlando Sentinel has published that regular exercise and drinking coffee can reduce the risk of dementia in seniors.

According to the American Heart Association journal Stroke, seniors who exercised regularly reduced their risk of vascular-related dementia by 40 percent and cognitive impairment by 60 percent.

Researchers found that 30 minutes of exercise three times a week significantly improved brain health. This effect is in place for all ages and education.

Ana Verdelho, M.D., from the University of Lisbon in Portugal was quoted in the Orlando Sentinel: “This is particularly important for people with vascular risk factors such as hypertension, stroke or diabetes.”

Another study indicated that coffee drinkers are at lower risk for developing dementia. Several investigations show that moderate coffee consumption of 3 to 5 cups per day at mid-life is linked to a reduced risk of dementia in late life. Evidence indicates that caffeines protects against neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s disease.

Dr. David Elmenhorst, a researcher for the Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, said: daily caffeine consumption resulted in up to 50 percent occupancy of certain brain receptors.

Caffeine is the most commonly consumed psychoactive substance in the world. Eighty percent of U.S. adults consume caffeine daily, at an average of 200 mg a day, the equivalent of two 5-ounce cups of coffee.

It will be interesting to see how these findings are implemented in Assisted Living and Continuing Care residencies.

 

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