Investigators at Harvard University studied 18,000 older women and found that a daily brisk walk lasting about 15 minutes was associated with slower age-related cognitive decline and a lower risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease. 

These results were supported by research at the University of Pittsburgh where scientists showed that the more time that older persons spend walking, the better their memory function and the larger their brain size. 

A bigger brain is a better brain, and a larger brain size is associated with a lower risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease in the future.  

Your exercise program does not have to focus specifically on walking.  Pretty much any physical activity that gets your heart pumping oxygen and nutrients to your brain cells will bolster mind health and function.