Smoking habits not only adversely affect the health of the lungs, but also the mind. Smoking can cause "rottenness" in the brain by destroying the ability to remember, learn, and reason. Similarly, according to research conducted at King's College London.
Research was conducted on 8,800 people over the age of 50 years. The results show that high blood pressure and overweight can also affect the brain, but the effect is lower than that of cigarettes.
Researchers at King College were initially investigating the link between brain states and the possibility of a heart attack or stroke. The test is done by performing brain tests, such as requiring participants to learn new words or animal names as much as they can in one minute. This test was done again after four and eight years later.
Research results show that the risk of heart attack or stroke is related to decreased ability to think someone. This is because people who have a high risk of heart attack and stroke experience the greatest decrease in cognitive abilities. In addition the researchers also stated the relationship between smokers with poor test results.
"Cognitive impairment is generally due to aging," said study co-author Dr. Alex Dregan. "We have identified a number of risk factors that can be associated with faster cognitive decline," he added.
Alzheimer's Researcher from UK Simon Ridley, said, "some studies have shown smoking and high blood pressure may increase the risk of cognitive decline."
"Cognitive abilities decrease with age, but the decline can be slowed. These results underscore the importance of maintaining your heart health from middle age. "
A spokeswoman for Alzheimer's Command says that many people actually know smoking, have high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels that are bad for their heart. This study proves that in addition to bad for the heart, the factors had a negative effect on the brain.
"Eating a well-balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, routinely checking blood pressure and cholesterol and not smoking can make a difference," explains Ridley.
