Strong legs healthy brain

“Leg power predicts both cognitive aging and global brain structure, despite controlling for common genetics and early life environment shared by twins." —Steves, CJ, et al.

The above may seem like a statement from the realm of alternate facts, but according to a study comparing twins, greater muscle fitness appears to correlate with better brain functioning over time.

Using leg strength as a measure for muscle fitness, the researchers compared the cognitive functioning among older twins over a 10-year period.

The result? Those with greater muscle fitness showed the least “fall-off” in thinking skills, even when controlling for diet, high blood pressure, and more.