Table of contents:
- Moderate exercise actually helps sharpen memory
- Another alternative to improve memory besides exercise
- Get enough sleep every day
- Limit drinking alcoholic beverages
- Reducing sugar intake
There are many ways to sharpen memory. However, who would have thought that just moderate exercise could help you have better memory power. This fact has been proven by researchers from the University of California, Irvine (UCI) and the University of Tsukuba in Japan. Then, what kind of sport can sharpen memory?
Moderate exercise actually helps sharpen memory
Dr. Michael Yassa, lecturer in neuroscience at the University of California, Irvine, and colleagues at the University of Tsukuba, Japan, conducted a study that was originally aimed at developing the abilities of elderly people with physical or mental deficiencies. The goal is that people with disabilities can still do simple sports that not only improve body fitness but also prevent cognitive decline in the brain.
This study was then conducted on 36 healthy young adults. After that, the researchers asked them to perform 10 minutes of light physical movement such as tai chi or yoga. Then after the exercise session was over, each person was assessed for their brain activity using high-resolution functional magnetic resonance (MRI).
From the results of the examination, it turned out that the experts found that people who exercised lightly for at least 10 minutes had better memory skills. The part of the brain that houses memories function better and more effectively after the participants perform simple movements.
Usually, this part of the brain will experience a decline in function as you get older. So the researchers state that this can prevent dementia in the elderly.
Another alternative to improve memory besides exercise
In addition to doing light exercise for 10 minutes, research has proven various ways to sharpen memory, namely by:
Get enough sleep every day
People who are sleep deprived tend to have poorer memory skills. The reason is, sleep plays an important role in strengthening short-term memory and turning it into long-term memories. In addition, getting enough sleep also has many benefits for the health of the body. Therefore, experts recommend that you sleep seven to nine hours each night for optimal body and brain health.
Limit drinking alcoholic beverages
Alcoholic drinks not only damage health but also have a negative impact on memory. Research shows that alcohol has a neurotoxic effect on the brain. Especially if you are accustomed to consuming it excessively.
This bad habit can actually damage the hippocampus, the part of the brain that plays an important role in memory. For this reason, so that health and memory are maintained, it is better not only to limit but avoid this one drink.
Reducing sugar intake
Reducing sugar intake may be one way to sharpen memory that is not widely known. Research shows that consuming too much sugar can worsen memory and reduce brain volume, especially in areas that store short-term memory.
Research conducted on more than 4,000 people found that people who often consume sugary drinks such as soda have a smaller total brain volume and poorer memory. Therefore, reduce sugar intake from both the food and drinks that you consume daily for a better memory of old age.
