Exercise 'may reduce dementia risk'

Studies suggest that physical activity and regular consumption of tea or coffee could help prevent age-related mental decline.

Research found that those engaged in moderate to heavy levels of exercise were 40 per cent less likely to develop dementia than those who are least physically active, with the trend more evident in men than women.

The study - led by Dr Zaldy Tan, from Harvard Medical School, Boston, and presented at the International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease in Hawaii - followed the progress of 1,200 elderly men and women with an average age of 76 for 10 years.

Meanwhile, a second study - led by Professor Lenore Arab, from the University of California at Los Angeles - found that the chances of developing age-related mental decline could be reduced by regular consumption of tea or coffee.

The study - which monitored 4,800 people aged over 65 for more than 14 years - found that drinking tea regularly reduced the chances of suffering a mental decline by 17-37 per cent, compared with non-tea drinkers.

Those who drank coffee more than five times a week were 20 per cent less likely to suffer a reduction in mental ability, according to the findings presented at the conference.

Professor Clive Ballard, director of research at the Alzheimer's Society, said: "This latest research adds weight to previous research that indicates caffeine could significantly reduce cognitive decline. However, we are still a long way from being able to say for sure that a regular brew will reduce your risk of developing dementia."

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