Cooking, washing the dishes and gardening reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s by one-fifth, according to new research. A study of more than half a million Britons found that those who do household chores are 21% less likely to get the disease.
It was the second-largest preventive activity after regular brisk walking or cycling, reducing cases by 35%. Another important event was meeting up with family and friends, associated with 15% lower rates. Lead author Professor Huan Song from Sichuan University in China said of the research results:
“Many studies have identified potential risk factors for dementia. But we wanted to learn more about the wide variety of lifestyle habits and their potential role in preventing dementia. Our study found that exercise, chores, and social visits were linked to a reduced risk of various types of dementia.”
STAY AWAY FROM PROCESSED FOODS
Dr Huiping Li, lead author of the study, from Tianjin Medical University in China, said: “Ultra-processed foods are intended to be convenient and tasty, but they degrade the quality of a person’s diet. “Our research not only found that highly processed foods were associated with an increased risk of dementia, but also revealed that replacing them with healthier options can reduce the risk of dementia.”