Dementia is a savage syndrome characterized by progressive brain decline, resulting in memory loss, behavioral changes, and mobility issues. While it is true that the risk of dementia increases as we age, it is not the only factor linked to the condition. In truth, about 40% of dementia cases could be prevented through specific lifestyle changes, like quitting smoking and lowering cholesterol levels.
And reducing the amount of time in front of the telly.
Researchers have recently found that the amount of TV a person watches may impact their risk of developing dementia. A study of over 400,000 people in the UK found that individuals who watched more than five hours of TV daily had a 44% higher risk of developing the condition.
The study also concluded that watching TV for more than five hours a day not only increases the risk of getting dementia but Parkinson’s disease and suffering a stroke as well.
In the study published in the Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, researchers from Tianjin Medical University in China investigated the connection between recreational screen time and brain health in middle-aged and older adults.
Researchers examined data on 407,792 people between the ages of 37 to 73. Among them, 40,000 had a brain scan. Over 13 years, 5,227 developed dementia, 6,822 experienced a stroke, and 2,308 were diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
About 61% of participants reported spending between one and four hours on screens daily. The average time spent watching TV was 2.7 hours, with an average of 1.1 hours spent on recreational computer use.
According to the study, participants who watched TV for three to five hours a day had a 15% higher risk of developing dementia than those who watched one hour or less. Those who watched the tube for more than five hours a day were at a 44% higher risk of developing dementia, 12% higher risk of suffering a stroke, and 28% higher risk of developing Parkinson’s disease, the researchers report.
Interestingly, this was not the case for computer screen time, as no associated risks were found with this type of screen use. In fact, computer use is linked to more “mentally challenging behaviour.” On the other hand, participants who watched more than five hours of television experienced reduced amounts of grey matter and smaller memory centers in their brains, both of which are connected to brain diseases.
It’s not completely clear why watching a lot of TV is connected to these effects on the brain. One theory is that TV viewing is associated with sedentary behavior. Low levels of muscle activity, circulation, and reduced energy output have been linked to chronic inflammation and decreased blood flow to the brain. Therefore, it could be that spending a long time sitting and not moving is the cause, rather than TV viewing itself.
One thing the research has made clear: limiting daily TV viewing to three hours is most beneficial for brain health.
So turn off the talking heads on the news channels and do something that challenges your mind and body. Your brain and older adult self will thank you for it.
Sources:
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/alzheimers-and-dementia/what-dementia-symptoms-types-and-diagnosis
https://www.thelancet.com/infographics-do/dementia-risk
https://www.jamda.com/