Two ways to refresh the aging mind

Aging is the natural process in which the bad news slowly takes over the body and mind. At least that’s what it seems. Just like passing the point in a race when our energy reserves are emptied, there’s a point in life somewhere past 40 when our cognition reserves run out. It starts with not remembering where we put the keys and goes downhill from there.

As I wrote in an earlier post, studies have found that the length of our stride shrinks by one percent each year after the age of 30. As if that wasn’t enough, I came across the reference to another study saying that, on average, most people in their late 20s begin to lose about one per cent annually of the volume of their hippocampus–a part of the brain integral to learning and memory. So, not only are we getting slower with time, but we’re also getting dumber.

But don’t despair. All is not lost. As well documented as the shrinking of the traits of our vitality, cognitive and physical, so are the means to prevent and even reverse it well documented. Let me ask you, have you had a nice cup of cocoa lately? No? You should.

Don’t worry, it’s not my dementia taking over. A new study found that the flavonoids found in cocoa can slow memory loss due to aging. Flavonoids are chemical structures found in some plants thought to provide health benefits through cell signalling pathways and antioxidant effects. They are found in a lot of fruits and vegetables like blueberries and grapes. And cocoa leaves.

The study examined the group of people aged between 50-70. They were given memory tests before and after altering their diets with cocoa flavonoids. Those who consumed 900mg per day had their memory function restored to the level of 30 or 40 year old after the three months of the diet. The group which consumed only 10mg of flavonoids in their diet stayed their old forgetful selves. That’s the good news! The bad news is, stuffing myself with chocolate won’t work. It doesn’t contain enough of the good stuff.

After you downed your daily dose of cocoa, lace up and go for a run for maximum effect. Another study on mice, done by the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology at the University of Illinois, found that running is the only thing that keeps them sharp. The researchers subjected four groups of mice to different cognitive stimuli, but the only thing that made difference was whether they had the running wheel or not. The groups with the wheel performed significantly better on cognitive tests than the ones without it.

Instead of trying to sharpen your wits with crosswords and sudoku, go for a run instead. Somewhere along the route you’ll remember where you put those missing keys.