A new study published in JAMA Network Open suggests that swapping car keys for a bicycle helmet may reduce the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Scientists have found that regular cycling may even help increase the size of the brain region responsible for memory. They analyzed data from nearly 480,000 people who reported their primary mode of transportation.
During the 13-year study, more than 8,800 participants developed dementia, and nearly 4,000 developed Alzheimer’s disease. However, the results showed that participants who cycled—either exclusively or in combination with other modes of transport such as walking, driving, or public transit—had a 16% lower risk of developing dementia and a 22% lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
The benefits were primarily observed in individuals without a genetic risk for Alzheimer’s disease. The study authors also noted that brain MRI scans revealed another interesting trend related to active mobility.
“Cycling and combined forms of cycling were significantly associated with increased hippocampal volume,” the scientists noted.
