As we know, a sedentary lifestyle promotes and accelerates the onset of dementias such as Alzheimer’s disease. So imagine what it does to your brain to numb it in front of the TV, without it moving. Researchers at the University of Arizona asked themselves whether television and computers had the same effect. The latter was based on data from 146,000 individuals over the age of sixty, over an average of twelve years. The latter was asked if they watched little, average or a lot of TV, how often and if they used the computer, as well as their level of physical activity.
3,507 people developed dementia, a syndrome defined by deterioration in memory, thinking, behavior, and ability to carry out daily activities. Not all of these syndromes are normal with age. According to researchers, the risk of developing dementia increases by 28% among the largest consumers of television. Among computer enthusiasts, the probability of developing dementia is reduced by 30% in a third of the most hard-working users. “Our results suggest that the risk of dementia is not related to the time spent sitting per se, but rather with the nature or context of the sedentary activity.”
The capital of the brain
” Computer and television do not induce the same brain stimulation,” identifies Philippe Amuel, Professor of Public Health at Lille University Hospital and Director of the Alzheimer’s Foundation, with Lou Figaro. On the computer, we often have activities that require active intellectual participation. In front of the television, we are passive. “When we advise audiences to limit screen time, it’s not about stopping them all, it’s about seeing what is being done with it.”
“Humans reach their maximum brain development around the age of 20. His brain then contains between 80 and 100 billion neurons, and that number will not change for the rest of his life. On the other hand, connections between these neurons can develop and renew themselves to meet needs. New: This is called cerebral plasticity,” explains Prof. This is why the brain must be stimulated. Anything that takes us out of our comfort zone is good for the mind. That is why I sometimes advise elderly patients to use computer tools, as this requires a virtuous educational effort for them.”
