If you are a coffee drinker who enjoys attending different concerts and spending time on Netflix, you may be at increased risk of developing a common brain disease.
Scientists warn that some seemingly harmless habits could cause the brain to age prematurely, with the chances of developing dementia increasing with different daily habits.
From smoking to avoiding your GP, here are thirteen habits that could increase your risk of dementia:
1. Drink alcohol
It’s no surprise to anyone: drinking a pint at the pub is not a good habit for your brain. Although some people think that only excessive drinking is harmful, it turns out that even drinking a little can have a major impact.
READ MORE: Three Warning Signs of Dementia You May Hear When People Talk, Doctor Says
A study, published in 2022, concluded that just two pints of beer or glasses of wine per day are capable of aging the brain by ten years. Surprisingly, just one pint can prematurely age your brain by two years.
A second study of 40,000 Britons found alcohol was one of the three most harmful, but preventable, risk factors for dementia, with diabetes and air pollution as the other two. Dr Esther Walton, from the University of Bath, said: “Alcohol is certainly one of the most common things that age the brain.
“People who drink tend to have older brains, but we don’t know if this is causal – it could be that older brains ‘make’ us drink.”
2. Lack of sufficient sleep
It’s common knowledge that not spending enough hours in bed can lead to forgetfulness, feeling irritable, and a lack of energy. However, problems can persist, even if it is not felt. Not getting enough sleep over the long term can increase the risk of dementia, scientists say.
A study published in Nature Communications found that those who slept six hours or less per night increased their risk by 30 percent compared to people sleeping seven hours or more. According to the authors, sleep is important because it helps clear the brain of toxic proteins associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
Separate research concluded that adolescents were less efficient, flexible and resilient when they didn’t get enough sleep. On top of that, they had difficulty understanding things, controlling their behavior, and regulating their emotions.
3. Spending too much time alone
A US study examined the brains of healthy adults who reported feelings of loneliness. The researchers found that these people had high levels of cortical amyloid, a marker used to help diagnose dementia.
Additional research has linked social isolation to early-onset dementia, when symptoms appear before age 65. Dr Walton said: “There is strong evidence that loneliness is linked to faster brain aging.”
4. Go to concerts
According to scientists, loud noises increase the risk of hearing loss, which in turn makes you more likely to develop dementia. This is possible in several ways, for example by listening to music with headphones, on the radio or in concerts.
This could include listening to music through headphones, on the radio, at a concert or from the workplace. Dr Tim Beanland, from the Alzheimer’s Society, urged people to protect themselves and get checked as soon as possible. He said: “If you are exposed to loud noises for long periods of time (or have concerts planned in the coming months), wear hearing protection if necessary.
“It is important to have your hearing tested. You can normally book a free hearing test at your local optician or speak to your GP about being referred to an audiologist. This will highlight any hearing problems and provide ways to manage them, such as using a hearing aid.”
5. Have a cup of coffee
Shockingly, some articles claim coffee drinking is associated with an older brain – although experts say there is no evidence to suggest caffeine can cause dementia.
A study published in Nutritional Neuroscience found that heavy coffee drinkers (those who drink more than six cups per day) were 53% more likely to be diagnosed with dementia than light drinkers (one to two cups per day). . They also tended to have lower total brain volume, particularly in the area responsible for memory.
6. Missed GP appointments
Missing routine appointments, like having your blood pressure and cholesterol levels checked, is not a good thing. Dr Beanland said: “We know that poor cardiovascular health is a risk factor for brain diseases such as stroke, Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. This is why “what is good for the heart is good for the head.”
7. Not getting enough exercise
Exercising regularly can reduce your risk of developing dementia by 28 percent, according to the Alzheimer’s Society. This includes going to the gym, getting your steps in, or enjoying a morning swim.
Dr Beanland said: “Research has shown that doing regular physical activity is one of the best ways to reduce your risk of dementia. Part of it is a healthier lifestyle: physical exercise, healthy eating, etc. »
8. Play contact sports
A study from Denmark found that there was an increased risk of dementia for 10 years after a head injury in people over 50. Additionally, the risk of dementia increased with the number of head injuries sustained.
Another study from the University of Glasgow found that professional footballers were at three and a half times higher risk of death from progressive brain damage than the general population. They were also five times more likely to die from Alzheimer’s disease.
9. Junk Food
Opinions are mixed on the link between diet and brain problems. However, it goes without saying that a healthy diet is good for your health and will have a protective effect.
Dr Beanland said: “There is some evidence that a Mediterranean-style diet can reduce the risk of developing memory and thinking problems and getting some forms of dementia. This means adding more fruits, vegetables and grains to your basket and eating more. less red meat and sugary foods.
Dr Walton added: “There is not a lot of evidence to support exercise or diet. However, diet has been shown to influence other measures of biological aging such as epigenetic aging.”
10. Lack of education
While cognitive decline is a phenomenon that everyone goes through as they age. Some evidence suggests that having a higher level of education reduces this risk – and therefore your risk of dementia.
Dr Rosa Sancho, head of research at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “While it is difficult to measure the extent to which individual lifestyle factors contribute to our overall risk of dementia, this study supports the idea that the education we receive early in life can affect our risk of developing this disease. »
11. Living with a stressful job
It goes without saying that too much stress is not good for your health. Although some thrive under stress, too much stress will disrupt your sleep, skin, and mental health, and can also lead to brain shrinkage.
For all the latest news, politics, sports and showbiz news from across the United States, visit The US mirror
According to the Alzheimer’s Society, stress affects the immune system, which plays a key role in the development of dementia. The hormone cortisol is released during times of high stress, which has been linked to anxiety, depression and dementia.
12. Mindless scrolling
Research conducted in 2023 reveals that we spend an average of seven hours a day looking at a screen. However, it could be much more.
This has a huge impact on our brains – and what is known as “digital dementia”. Although not an official condition, it describes problems with short-term memory, forgetfulness, difficulty remembering words, and problems with multitasking caused by overuse of technology.
Another 2023 study found that more than four hours of screen time per day was associated with an increased risk of dementia. Dr Beanland, author of Mind Games, said: “It’s all about mental exercise – put simply, the brain is like any other muscle: to keep it in shape you need to get to the gym sports to improve brain health and improve mental agility. Activities like puzzles that stimulate brain function in a different way, building a “cognitive reserve” of stronger neural pathways. »
13. Smoking
“Although it’s not a harmless habit, if you smoke you put yourself at a much higher risk of developing dementia later in life,” Dr. Beanland said.
Smoking is estimated to increase the risk of developing dementia by 30 to 50 percent. According to some experts, around 14 percent of dementia cases worldwide are caused by smoking.
