Mind over seating: How a decade of sitting raises dementia risk

A new study says sitting for 10 hours or more daily can increase risk of dementia. Here's how sedentary lifestyle affects your brain

- Parmita Uniyal

Long hours of sitting can put you at an increased risk of dementia compared to those who sit less, says a new study published in Journal of the American Medical Association. We spoke to Dr Kunal Bahrani, director, neurology, at a hospital in Faridabad, to know more about sedentary lifestyle, which involves prolonged periods of sitting and little physical activity, and how it can have several negative effects on the brain.

WAYS IN WHICH A SEDENTARY LIFESTYLE CAN IMPACT BRAIN HEALTH

● Cognitive decline: Studies have shown that people who lead sedentary lives are at a higher risk of cognitive decline and conditions like dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

● Mood: When you are sitting all the time, the flow of hormones is restricted and one ends up feeling dull.