Research Reveals What Living In A Greener Community Does To Your Brain
Those at higher risk for certain disorders seem to benefit even more.
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Subscribe for free to get more stories like this directly to your inboxThere’s been a growing movement around the world in recent years to implement changes to neighborhoods and cities that increase their environmental friendliness. But it’s not just the Earth that will appreciate your decision to move to one of these green communities.
A midlife mentality
As we age, people tend to think more about ways to optimize their physical and cognitive health. Researchers say one way to help accomplish this goal involves finding a place to live that is surrounded by greenery.
Not only does access to parks and other spots devoted to nature offer great locations to stay physically active, but one new study indicates that many cases of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease can be prevented, or at least delayed, by being surrounded by these features.
Researchers at Boston University’s School of Public Health focused their attention on individuals who carry a specific gene that increases their risk of developing Alzehimer’s. As outlined in a report published in the Environmental Health Perspectives journal, those who were exposed to the greenest surroundings experienced a rate of cognitive decline that was three times slower than those who did not have the gene.
The earlier the better
Although testing for certain genetic markers can shed some light on a person’s risk for developing cognitive issues later in life, such diseases often begin developing two decades or more before symptoms are noticeable. That’s why experts recommend that those with a genetic predisposition to these issues find greener communities — and for places (particularly those of a lower socioeconomic status) without adequate green spaces to prioritize their creation.
Study author Marcia Pescador Jimenez concluded: “Our finding for participants living in neighborhoods with lower socioeconomic status is consistent with the theory of equigenic environments, which suggests that greenness might be important to reduce socioeconomic health inequities.”
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