34 Platripedia—Game Tips
Decrease Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease with Crossword Puzzles
Did you know that maintaining a sharp cerebellum in your golden years can be as simple as picking up the daily newspaper? Recent studies have shown a link between doing crossword puzzles and preventing the mind-afflicting disease of Alzheimer’s. The mental stimulation of the word game challenges the mind, which somehow staves off the plaques and tangles in the brain that causes Alzheimer’s disease, according to new research.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia which affects over 25 million senior citizens today. People over 65 are susceptible to the degenerative and terminal disease that causes memory loss, mood swings, and confusion. The cause and progression of the brain disease are not clearly understood. There is no cure for Alzheimer’s and treatment options are limited. But now, it is believed that giving your brain a daily workout with mental challenges like crossword puzzles can reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
Recently, researchers surveyed over 800 over-65-year-olds without Alzheimer’s about how often they participated mentally challenging games like crossword puzzles. Those that stimulated their mind consistently were less likely to develop the disease over the next few years. The studies show that using your mind to solve brain teasers cuts the risk of developing Alzheimer’s in half. The explanation for how this exactly happens within the brain is not fully understood, but the correlation is undeniable.
Mental stimulation, social activity, and a balanced diet all seem to contribute to the prevention of Alzheimer’s. Physical activity has shown to have little impact on preventing Alzheimer’s. This makes sense; physical exercise will keep your body fit, but to keep your brain in tip-top shape you need a cerebral exercise like those found in daily or weekly crossword puzzles.
Besides crossword puzzles, other mental aerobics will also potentially stave off the brain disease, such as reading, going to the museum, or playing games like cards, chess, or checkers. However, crossword puzzles have an edge over these other brainy activities. Just like a physical workout, crossword puzzles require a short, burst of sustained brain activity. Also, because crossword puzzles are found in daily newspapers, the intellectual exercise is daily and consistent.
So now you have a good tip on how to keep your cranium in capital condition. Just flex your brain muscles with a crossword puzzle every day.