Our cognitive faculties naturally decline from the age of 45. We are talking about cognitive decline : which means that the memorythe ability to reason and understand begin to decline.
To delay cognitive decline and to protect against forms of dementia (including Alzheimer’s disease is part, you can improve your lifestyle. Many studies have already proven that diet plays a key role. A specific diet has also been identified as particularly beneficial for the brain: it is the MIND dietwhich includes fruits, fresh vegetables, poultry, oily fish and nuts.
A news research recently published in Nature claims that the sun was also beneficial for your cognitive functions.
Sunlight improves cognitive health
Long-term sun exposure is associated with better cognitive function in young adults and those in their 40s. The study was conducted in Finland out of 1,838 participants. The results suggest that sunlight may play a protective role in cognitive health potentially influencing memory, attention and learning.
Finnish researchers speak of residential exposure to sunlight. It refers to the amount of sunlight that individuals are exposed to in their living quarters. It takes into account factors such as the location of their residence, the surrounding environment, and the duration and intensity of sunshine in that area.
They add that previous studies have proven that sunlight plays a role in cognitive function through its influence on circadian rhythms, sleep patterns, mood and emotion regulation.
The new study went so far as to prove that sun exposure can prevent cognitive decline.
The sun can rejuvenate your brain by 4 years!
The researchers assessed participants’ cognitive health and meteorological data on sunlight in the areas where they lived.
Cognitive function was assessed using Cambridge neuropsychological tests, which included visual memory tests, time of reactiontreatment visual and short-term working memory.
Contrary to all expectations, the individuals most exposed to the sun had a cognitive age of 2 to 4 years younger.
Please note, however, it is important to remember the dangers of excessive sun exposure. Solar radiation (composed of UVA, UVB and UVC) is classified as a proven carcinogen for humans. Don’t forget to bring your sun protection before going out in the sun. To be effective, it must be applied to the whole body in order to slow down the penetration of the sun’s ultraviolet rays into the skin.