A little movement in midlife could pay off for your brain years later

Physical activity and healthy blood sugar levels during midlife may be linked to a significantly slower decline in thinking abilities later in life, according to new research from UT Health San Antonio, the academic health center of The University of Texas at San Antonio. The findings suggest that exercise may be especially important for Hispanic adults.

Scientists already know that cardiovascular problems in midlife can raise the risk of cognitive decline and dementia. This study is among the first to investigate how specific cardiovascular health factors may relate to cognitive aging across different ethnic groups.

Researchers analyzed 402 people from San Antonio. Of the participants, 52% were Hispanic, and the rest were non-Hispanic white. Their mean age was 57.9, and 58.5% were women.

The findings varied by ethnicity. Physical activity was particularly associated with slower cognitive decline among Hispanic participants, while lower fasting blood glucose levels were linked to slower cognitive decline among non-Hispanic white participants.