An excellent idea! Many people enjoy crossword puzzles, Sudoku, scrabble, or other games that involve thinking to keep the brain active.
If you can afford $300 subscriptions to gaming companies like Luminosity and Rosetta Stone’s Fit Brains, these brain games are backed by scientific research and are definitely shown to benefit health.
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If, however, the goal is to optimize the circulation of blood to keep the brain nourished as it ages, then you may still need to do a more than brain games.
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More and more studies show that exercise can improve not only memory but also the speed with which the brain processes information. Exercise also slows down the impairment of cognitive function of the brain. Aerobic exercises, such as brisk walking, jogging, dancing, bicycle riding, hiking and other activities are good. Based on the accumulation of evidence, some say regular exercise will soon be prescribed to help prevent Alzheimer’s, or even Parkinson’s disease.
Food plays a big role in preventing dementia. A diet that is rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, fish and olive oil while low on red meat can also have a positive impact on brain health. Blueberries are loaded with ingredients that have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that can slow decline in memory functions. These ingredients increase cognitive signals and assist glucose metabolism in the brain. A 2012 study published in the Journal of Agricultural Food Chemistry also showed that concord grape juice could enhance neurocognitive function in older people with mild cognitive impairment or slight dementia.
What’s the difference between buying expensive brain games versus you yourself doing challenging things on your own? Who knows? If you can afford both, do both. Certainly engaging in activities like attending lectures, learning to play new instruments, studying new disciplines, or learning new languages can’t hurt. Duolingo offers free language classes online if you're thinking of traveling abroad. I'm studying Italian for my trip to Verona in a couple of weeks. We'll see how I do.
And if you can afford the expensive brain games, do that, too. The main thing is to find out what’s fun and challenging and what you can do to keep your brain active.
Norma Nixon Schofield
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