Scientists have churned out a bunch of studies lately about why exercise is important for brain health and may even help to lower your risk of dementia. Now, new research breaks down a specific chain reaction that happens in the body when you work out—and this discovery may even help prevent dementia. The study, which was published in the journal Aging Cell, suggests that exercise can do your brain health a solid on several fronts. Here’s what you need to know.
Researchers followed 21 people with an average age of 60 who also had prediabetes, a condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. During the two-week study, the participants did 12 different 60-minute exercise sessions that were moderate to high intensity. They also had a glucose drink before and after their workouts and gave blood samples during these times.
After the participants worked out, the researchers discovered that there was an increase in the number of neuronal vesicles, which are special cells released by the brain. Those vesicles, which were once thought to be “cell dust,” help to shuttle molecules like proteins to cells. To read the full story.