Running…biking…weightlifting…swimming…competitive sports. There are many ways to stay in shape.
But two new studies have found that one of the most effective exercises is one that is rarely mentioned by fitness gurus.
It not only greatly lowers your chances of dying from heart disease, but it slows brain aging.
British researchers analyzed data from 11 surveys that included 49,000 people. Their study was published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.[i]
The investigators compared the health benefits of walking versus dancing. Both were beneficial. But dancing was better. It lowered heart disease risk more.
The second study was published in the journal Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience. It took a slightly different approach.
Researchers from several U.S. universities had subjects learn country line dancing. They found the subjects benefited in two ways: they gained physical fitness, and learning the dance steps stimulated their brains. It slowed brain aging.[ii]
Dancing Benefits Body and Brain
You can just freestyle it if you want. But learning steps for a new type of dance adds to the benefits.
In various studies, brain scans show that exercise including dancing increases volume in the hippocampus. This is the brain region that plays an important role in memory, learning, and maintaining balance.[iii]
You don’t have to do a fitness-based form of dancing like Zumba to benefit. The studies show that any type of moderate to fast-paced dancing will work.
One more thing…
You can dance solo, but having a partner is better. The studies found that the social aspect of dance was an important factor in slowing brain aging.
Editor’s Note: Discover natural, non-drug methods to transform your health. Read Independent Healing. It’s your best source for unbiased, evidence-based medical information.
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[i]https://www.ajpmonline.org/article/S0749-3797(16)00030-1/fulltext
[ii]https://consumer.healthday.com/fitness-information-14/dancing-health-news-246/dance-your-way-to-better-health-747602.html
[iii]https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnhum.2017.00305/full