Hey there, viewers!
We all know men and women are physically different.
There are diseases that pose more risk for one gender than the other.
But what about the brain?
Did you know men and women actually have different brain ages?
And in today’s video, we will be discussing what this means.
What do you mean by having an “older brain”?
Is there a way to lower your brain age?
We will be talking about all of this AND more...
How do the brain ages of women and men compare?
Here’s a shocking fact: your brain shrinks with age.
Honestly, this doesn’t make me excited about getting older.
As if decreasing bone density wasn’t a worry already.
Now I have to stress about my brain?
Jeez!
Not only does your brain shrink, it changes the way it uses energy.
A study found that the brain of a woman is usually three years younger than the brain
of a man of the same age.
More on that in a second...
What is it about aging that scares you the most?
Share your thoughts with the Bestie community in the comments below.
What did the study exactly say?
The study pointed out that this difference in brain age is present from young adulthood
through your senior years.
In short, women’s brains age slower than men’s.
In other words, men’s brains get a headstart on an already disadvantaged step.
At any point in time, their brain would be metabolically older than women’s brain of
their age.
I am sorry men, it’s not me saying this.
The study is to be blamed, or maybe not!
You do get the upper hand when it comes to aging and skin.
Women do get more wrinkles, and their skin ages faster than men’s.
How did the study reach this conclusion?
Well researchers studied more than 200 adults, all between the ages of 20 to 82.
A series of PET scans were performed to measure the flow of glucose and oxygen in their brains.
After that, the process the brain uses to convert glucose into energy was studied.
Young brains are able to do this faster, as they have higher levels of energy.
Next, rain measurements were taken and used to establish a relationship between brain
age and the brain’s metabolic data.
After doing all of this, researchers concluded that women’s brains were indeed younger
than men’s brains.
How much younger you ask?
Anywhere between 2 to almost 4 years!
What do you mean by having an older brain?
Experts dismiss the idea that men’s brains age faster.
The most probable explanation for women NOT experiencing as much cognitive decline as
they age could be that their brains are younger!
This particular study makes it very clear that brain development is influenced by various
factors.
This includes exposure to different environments.
Along with gender differences, these factors play a huge role in your brain’s age.
The younger brain theory is supported by a very specific fact.
A woman’s brain experiences less blood loss following puberty.
Their brain has more energy during young adulthood.
In short, women have younger brains.
It’s currently unclear if this gives them protection from brain related disease.
It doesn’t seem to be the case if you take a look at Alzheimer’s rates.
Two-thirds of people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s are women.
Can you lower your brain age?
If there is one most feared consequence of aging, it has to be mental decline.
Your brain does change with age but you can definitely prevent cognitive decline.
There are things you can do to keep your brain healthy and young.
Let’s discuss them one by one.
But before we move ahead, here is a video you’ll like.
You might be wondering if there are specific brain-healthy foods you can eat?
Turns out there are.
Watch this video to learn more about the 9 best foods to boost your brain function and
memory.
Keep your brain stimulated
Utilize your time by doing things that keep your brain active.
Engaging activities like solving puzzles, doing crosswords, and quizzes keep your brain
active and healthy.
These activities stimulate new connections between nerve cells.
And do you know what this means?
Your brain will generate new cells.
So in the future you will already have an extra hedge of brain cells in case you experience
loss of cells.
In case you hate doing puzzles, you can try other brain stimulating activities.
Reading is definitely on the list.
So is writing.
You can also take up new courses or indulge in your art and crafts hobbies.
You will be surprised to know how painting and drawing also stimulate your brain fantastically.
Pick your brush up and start bringing your imagination to reality.
You don’t need to be a Piccaso.
Just enjoy what you are painting or creating.
Eat a brain-healthy and heart-healthy diet
Diet definitely plays a very important role in keeping your brain healthy.
A Medditerranian diet is excellent for this.
Focus on eating vegetables, fruits and fish.
Nuts and unsaturated oils like olive oil are great too.
Experts say plant sources of protein reduce your risk of dementia and cognitive problems.
There is another fact that might surprise you.
You also need to eat a heart-healthy diet if you want a healthy brain.
But what does the heart have to do with your brain?
A lot!
For starters, your heart pumps blood.
And of course, your brain needs a healthy blood flow to perform.
Having a good circulatory system makes a huge difference in how your brain functions.
So keep your heart happy if you would like to keep your brain healthy.
Exercise matters A LOT
Looks like physical exercise recommendations are NEVER going to stop.
Want to lose weight?
Exercise.
Need to keep your heart healthy?
Exercise.
Aiming to keep your brain young?
Yes, definitely start exercising.
Experts strongly advise you to keep your muscles moving as it helps your mind.
When you exercise regularly, the number of tiny blood vessels in your body increases.
It is these tiny blood vessels that provide oxygen rich blood to the particular region
of the brain responsible for thoughts.
Not just this, exercising also leads to the development of new nerve cells.
The connection between your brain cells will become much stronger.
As a result, your brain works more efficiently.
Aside from the impact exercise has on nerve cells, it also lowers your cholesterol levels
and blood pressure.
You will have much better blood sugar balance ALONG WITH reduced levels of stress.
Everything translates to a ‘young and healthy brain’.
So what are you even thinking?
Get started, get moving.
Your brain depends upon you being more active!
Keep your cholesterol levels low
If you have high levels of bad cholesterol, BEWARE!
Especially if you want your brain to be young.
It increases your risk of dementia.
You need to make holistic lifestyle changes.
Eat better, exercise more, and avoid tobacco like the plague.
Pay attention to your blood pressure and sugar
If you have high blood pressure, you are at higher risk of experiencing cognitive decline
in your old age.
Blood pressure also increases your chances of stroke.
Watch your salt intake, eat real foods, and be physically active.
Diabetes is another factor that impacts your brain health.
It puts you at a higher risk of getting dementia.
Besides eating healthy and exercising, you need to keep stress at bay if you want a young
brain.
No more alcohol and tobacco
Tobacco is a big NO-No if you want your brain to be working at its best.
As for alcohol, you need to watch how much you drink.
Excessive drinking habits take a huge toll on your body, particularly liver and brain.
Excessive drinking is a major risk factor for dementia.
Spend time with your friends
You can keep your brain active through physical and mental exercise.
There is another form of brain stimulation that you will actually enjoy.
Curious to know?
Stay socially active!
Meet your friends.
Talk to them.
Have a wide social network.
You will be less likely to experience cognitive decline during old age.
But cognitive decline is just one aspect of aging.
And we saw how it can be prevented.
So can you somehow do that for aging skin?
Are there foods you can eat to prevent age related decline?
Let’s take a look at a couple more videos.
Watch 9 Anti Aging Foods to Eat When You’re Over 40
You can also try 13 Foods to Avoid If You Want Younger Skin
Go ahead and click one.
Better yet, watch both.
Learn more about the relationship among aging, nutrition and food.
Did you know about women’s brains being younger before watching this video?
Let us know in the comments below!