Your Cart is Empty
Watching a lot of TV may be linked to changes in the brain. New research has found that those who watched TV very often had decreased volumes in several brain regions, including areas important for memory and regions connected to Alzheimer’s disease. These findings raise questions about whether heavy TV viewing could contribute to a higher risk of dementia.
Previous research on the brain has focused on the health effects of prolonged sitting. This study suggests we may also need to consider how that time is spent. Other sedentary behaviors did not produce the same findings, indicating that watching TV may have different effects than other ways of spending time sitting down.
Researchers reviewed data from approximately 1,700 men and women who were 53 years old on average when they entered the ARIC Study. The participants were first enrolled between the years 1987 to 1989 and were assessed again between 2011 and 2013. The researchers examined several measures of brain health, including the size of regions that can lose volume in the beginning stages of Alzheimer’s disease and changes in both the outer and deeper areas of the brain.
Participants rated how frequently they watched tv when they had free time, as well as the amount of their day spent sitting. When they returned for a follow-up brain MRI, researchers found widespread structural differences in the brain. When comparing people who rarely or never watched TV, the participants who watched it frequently had less volume in several areas of the brain, including areas affected by Alzheimer’s disease. They additionally had a greater number of changes in the brain’s white matter, which can be a sign that the brain’s small blood vessels may be damaged.
While more research is needed to understand this complex relationship, the findings could eventually change how we think about sedentary time. Rather than focusing only on getting people to move more, healthcare providers may also encourage patients to limit TV watching and choose activities that keep the brain engaged when they are sitting.
To view the original scientific study click below:
Associations of distinct sedentary behaviors with cortical, subcortical, and white matter hyperintensity volumes: Evidence from the ARIC study
Muscles are essential to keeping the body healthy and functioning well. In addition to allowing us to move, they help regulate blood sugar, support metabolic health, and protect our joints while helping us remain independent. Yet, as we grow older, muscle strength and size naturally decline. This gradual loss can affect stability, raise the risk of falls, and make it take longer to bounce back after an injury or illness.
The strength of the skeleton is often assessed by measuring bone mineral density, which reflects how well bones can withstand damage and resist fractures. According to research, changes in the skeleton could also provide important clues about cognitive aging. A new study points to a potential connection between reduced spinal bone density, changes in the brain, and a more rapid decline in brain aging.
Many Americans consume soybean oil regularly, often without realizing how frequently it appears in processed foods. Researchers are now investigating whether this widely used ingredient may play a part in the development of obesity. In a study involving mice, scientists compared the effects of different fats on weight gain and metabolism, focusing primarily on soybean oil.