Everyone wants to live a happy and healthy life. While the right attitude can make you happier, lifestyle changes, if made correctly, can secure healthy old years. There are so many aspects of life that you can change. The question is, will only one aspect, such as moderate exercise or a healthy diet, be enough to stay healthy and to keep your brain sharp while getting older?

A recent study investigated the individual and combined effects of 2 types of exercise (resistance and aerobic) and dietary changes on brain health of 1.401 men and women aged 57–78 during 4 years.

The exercise goals were moderate-intensity resistance exercise at least 2 times per week and moderate-intensity aerobic exercise at least 5 times per week. As for dietary requirements, the participants had to eat at least 400 g of vegetables, fruit, and berries per day; 2 servings of fish per week; 14 g fiber per 1000 kcal; and no more than 10% of energy intake from saturated fat.

The participants were randomly assigned to 6 groups: group of the resistance exercise, aerobic exercise, diet, combined resistance exercise and diet, combined aerobic exercise and diet, or control group. Their brain health was measured based on a number of tests.

It turned out that only one group of participants with a combined moderate-intensity aerobic exercise and a healthy diet improved brain health over 4 years period of time. The participants of the other 5 groups didn’t show any improvements of their brain health.

Now you know that you need at least 2 lifestyle changes to keep your aging brain healthy.

Curious? HERE is the source