“In healthy adults, the hippocampus - a part of the brain important to the formation of memories - begins to atrophy around 55 or 60. Now psychologists are suggesting that the hippocampus can be modestly expanded, and memory improved, by nothing more than regular walking.”
The results were published online January 31 by the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences under the title “Exercise training increases size of hippocampus and improves memory.”
After a year, brain scans showed that among the walkers, the hippocampus had increased in volume by about 2 percent on average; in the [other exercise group], it had declined by about 1.4 percent.
(http://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2011/feb/14/walkers-brains-grow-study-20110214/)
From WebMD I learned that “The body needs water to process calories. If you are even mildly dehydrated, your metabolism may slow down. In one study, adults who drank eight or more glasses of water a day burned more calories than those who drank four. Ice-cold beverages prompt the body to burn more calories during digestion.”
So, today when I walked from my house to Ironton Cutoff and back, I actually increased the size of my brain! Well, maybe I just improved my memory.
What I like best was the energy I felt for hours after I finished walking. The distance is 1½ miles and it took me about 45 minutes. I know, it is slow but I am getting better every day.
I am glad to have your support and encouragement. Where did you walk today?
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