Homework as a "brain exercise" to combat Alzheimer's

In recent years, the number of people diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease has increased significantly;

Which prompted the World Health Organization to warn that this number is likely to reach by 2060 to about 3 times the current number.

It is known that a healthy lifestyle may help prevent Alzheimer's disease.

However, a new study suggests that some household chores may also be effective in reducing the risk of developing this disease.

According to the British newspaper "Express", the study included 716 men and women in their seventies and eighties, without Alzheimer's disease.

The participants answered a survey that looked at any health problems they had and how much they exercised, the diet they regularly followed, and the housework they used to do;

If found.

The study found that there are 5 household chores that have been shown to help stave off Alzheimer's disease if they are done often enough, as they have been significantly associated with greater brain size and enhanced cognition.

These are cleaning, tidying up the house, cooking, gardening, and heavy household chores (such as washing carpets or walls, or painting rooms).

"Physical activity is significantly associated with slowing the rate of cognitive decline associated with ageing," said study lead author Dr. Aaron S. Buchmann, associate professor of neurosciences at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. They can avoid getting Alzheimer's by doing household chores."

"You don't have to have a gym membership. If you simply move more around the house and make sure you do the dishes and cook, you'll benefit greatly," he added.

Buchmann noted that housework is a "brain exercise" to tackle Alzheimer's.

Dr Noah Koplinsky, who was also involved in the study, said: "Scientists already know that exercise has a positive effect on the brain, but our study is the first to show that the same may apply to housework."

"Understanding how different forms of physical activity contribute to brain health is critical to developing strategies to reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementia in older adults," he added.

The new study was published in the Journal of Neuroscience.