If you are in your 40s and 50s, you will be able to do a lot of work, you will be able to enjoy your
Researchers say that people who watch more television in middle age have a higher risk of brain damage in later years.
Their research shows that excessive television viewing can lead to cognitive depletion and depletion of gray matter.
Experts recommend choosing an activity that you will enjoy and stay true to instead of watching television.
The more you watch television in your 40s, 50s and 60s, the more brain problems you will have in the years to come.
According to researchers who presented three new papers at the American Heart Association conference on epidemiology, prevention, lifestyle and cardiometabolic health 2021 last week.
Studies have used television viewing as a measure of sedentary behavior (i.e., time spent in a sitting position). The brain health was then measured by participants who answered questions about imaging habits, completed cognitive tests, and passed an MRI scan of the brain.
Watching television is measured by how much content is spent in your spare time:
A little TV watching (never or rarely)
medium (sometimes)
High (often / too much)
The researchers ’findings show that people who report watching moderate or excessive amounts of television together have a greater cognitive decline and a decrease in gray matter in the brain during their lifetime. Gray matter is involved in decision making, hearing and vision and muscle control.
Researchers have also found that the positive effects of physical activity are not necessarily sufficient to combat the negative effects of watching television. That doesn’t mean we should give up training.
From their data, they calculated that an increase in the average daily TV time per person per hour was associated with a 0.5 percent decrease in the amount of gray matter.
According to the American Heart Association website, the researchers linked sedentary and excessive sitting to a higher risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, colon and lung cancer, and premature death.
Although this new research helps in this regard, Dr. Heather Snyder, vice president of the Alzheimer’s Society for Medicine and Science, suggests that we should not forget the difference between attribute and cause.
“This study adds to similar studies that suggest a link between watching television and a subsequent cognitive decline in life, but do not prove the cause,” Snyder told Healthline.
"More research is needed to understand this connection," he said. "For example, is it related to watching television or watching more TV shows shows you're less active?"
Snyder says the most important thing to stay away from research is to think about what you can do besides watching television.
It recommends choosing activities that we know are beneficial for heart, brain and body health.
“A growing research team shows that more frequent exercise (if possible), a balanced diet, and engaging in social and cognitive activities can reduce the risk of cognitive decline,” he said.
In other words, activities that support your overall health today may be the key to maintaining the health of your brain for years to come.
What can you do today?
When it comes to lifestyle changes, in the end it is your way of achieving the best results. You know what to stick to and what not to do.
Synder recommends, "Instead of taking a remote, take an interesting book or take a walk."
At the same time, personal commitment is important. This means that if you are not a book reader, don’t decide to turn all your TV hours into reading a novel. Not because it's a bad idea. It doesn’t just cause constant change.
Instead, choose activities that you enjoy, so you are more likely to continue to choose on TV.
These may include moderate aerobic activities recommended by the AHA:
brisk walking (at least 2.5 miles per hour)
water aerobics
dance (ballroom or social)
Horticulture
tennis (pair)
ride a bike slower than 10 miles per hour
These may include stronger and more intensive activities recommended by the AHA:
climb or hike with a heavy backpack
run
swimming tours
aerobic dance
heavy gardening work, such as continuous drilling or anchoring
tennis (singles)
ride a bike 10 miles or more per hour
skipping rope
You can also select multiple inactive activities that stimulate brain activity, such as knitting, solving puzzles, or playing an instrument.
No matter what you do, the next time you travel long distances, think about your brain health after 20 years and ask yourself, is this a healthy way to waste time for me?
