A groundbreaking study by psychologists from Edinburgh University has revealed that gardening can help preserve brain health in old age. The research, conducted over nearly a century, tracked the lifestyles of hundreds of Scots and found that gardening may protect against dementia up to the age of 80, regardless of wealth and education. The study, published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology, highlights the mentally stimulating nature of gardening as a contributing factor to brain reserve in older age.

The new academic study showcases the benefits of engaging in various garden activities such as digging, weeding, planting, and more. The findings have identified a promising link between gardening and successful cognitive aging. Alzheimer Scotland has welcomed the results, describing them as "encouraging."

Gillian Councill, the executive lead on brain health and innovation at Alzheimer Scotland, emphasized the wide-ranging benefits of gardening that are often overlooked. In addition to increasing hand strength, which has been shown to boost brain health, gardening can also contribute to a healthier diet through growing one's own food. Furthermore, community allotments offer a social environment that reduces loneliness and isolation, ultimately benefiting brain health in older adults.

The research team collected data as part of the Lothian Birth Cohorts, a long-term survey focusing on brain function. Participants, born in and around Edinburgh in 1921, underwent an intelligence test at the age of eleven to measure their reasoning and arithmetic ability. Later in life, when they reached the age of 79, many of them were tracked and took the same quiz. Details of their lifestyle and frequent assessments of their brain health were collected until the age of 90.

Of the 467 people tested, almost 30 percent stated they had never gardened in their lives, while 44 percent continued gardening regularly, even into old age. The results clearly indicated a divide: on average, those who frequently or sometimes gardened (280 participants) showed better cognitive ability as pensioners compared to when they were eleven. Meanwhile, the 187 individuals who had never or rarely gardened had lower test scores than in their childhood.

Dementia, a degenerative condition affecting memory, concentration, and problem-solving abilities, currently affects nearly 100,000 Scots and is responsible for 13 percent of all deaths. Unhealthy lifestyles increase the risk of developing the disease, but keeping the brain active and getting sufficient sleep are believed to help delay its onset.

Dr. Janie Corley, the lead author of the study, highlighted that the connection between gardening and healthy cognitive aging is often overlooked. Gardening projects, learning about plants, and general garden upkeep involve complex cognitive processes such as memory and executive function. She emphasized the "use it or lose it" framework of cognitive function, suggesting that increased engagement in gardening may lead to a lower risk of cognitive decline.

The joy of gardening was also highlighted by one of the study participants, who mentioned that gardening keeps the brain active and provides a sense of purpose. "There is nothing like the taste of something that's just come straight off the tree or out of the ground. It's like food used to be," they said.

This groundbreaking study serves as a reminder of the importance of engaging in hobbies like gardening for maintaining overall cognitive health in old age. The findings open up a promising avenue for further exploration of lifestyle factors that promote successful cognitive aging and offer hope for individuals in their pursuit of healthy and fulfilling lives as they grow older.