A common daily habit may raise dementia risk—even for those who stay active
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We all have routines—some healthy, some not so much.
But there’s one physical habit many of us do daily without thinking, and new research suggests it could be doing far more harm than we realize.
Even if you work out regularly, this hidden behavior may still be putting your brain at risk. And the consequences could be more serious than just stiff joints or poor posture.
A new study has uncovered a link between prolonged sedentary behavior—like sitting or lying down for most of the day—and increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
This was true even for participants who met the widely recommended 150 minutes of weekly exercise.
The research, conducted by Vanderbilt University Medical Center, tracked over 400 adults over the age of 50 who were dementia-free at the start.
Their activity levels were monitored for a week using special watches, and then compared to brain scans and cognitive performance tests over the following seven years.
What researchers found was troubling: those who spent more time sedentary performed worse on cognitive tests and showed signs of brain shrinkage in the hippocampus, a key memory center often affected by Alzheimer’s.
This shrinkage happens naturally as we age, but it progressed faster in participants with more inactive time.
Notably, these changes occurred regardless of how much participants exercised in their daily lives. In other words, regular workouts don’t necessarily protect your brain if you’re sitting for hours afterward.
Also read: Are you increasing your dementia risk? Experts warn against these common habits
The effects were particularly pronounced in people who carry the APOE-e4 gene, a well-known genetic marker that raises Alzheimer’s risk up to ten-fold.
Around 1 in 50 people carry this gene—including public figures like actor Chris Hemsworth.
The study suggests that for these individuals, cutting back on sedentary time may be even more crucial than exercise itself.
Scientists believe that inactivity might reduce healthy blood flow to the brain, potentially speeding up the damage caused by Alzheimer’s-related proteins.
While the study can’t prove cause and effect, it adds to mounting evidence that sitting too long is a serious health threat—even if you're otherwise fit.
According to lead author Dr. Marissa Gogniat, “Reducing your risk for Alzheimer’s disease is not just about working out once a day."
"Minimizing the time spent sitting, even if you do exercise daily, reduces the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease.” Co-author Professor Angela Jefferson stressed the importance of moving more throughout the day: “It is critical to our brain health to take breaks from sitting throughout the day and move around to increase our active time.”
This could mean standing while working, taking more walking breaks, or stretching between meetings.
Also read: Shocking FDA alert: Could these common supplements be harming your grandchild’s health?
Alzheimer’s is caused by a buildup of toxic proteins in the brain, which interfere with the brain’s ability to function properly.
Over time, this results in memory problems, confusion, and difficulty with reasoning and language—symptoms that worsen as the disease progresses.
While no cure exists yet, lifestyle adjustments like limiting sitting time could be a valuable part of prevention strategies.
If you’re wondering whether your desk job or nightly TV habit could be silently increasing your risk, now’s the time to take a closer look.
You don’t have to give up your workout—just add more movement to your day wherever possible.
That 30-minute jog is still great for your heart, but your brain might benefit just as much from standing up every hour or taking more steps around the house.
The message is clear: staying in motion matters more than we thought.
Read next: Want to get fit at any age? Here are 4 science-backed tips from an expert who studies athletes as old as 92
Do you spend most of your day sitting? What steps have you taken to stay active beyond exercise? Share your habits, concerns, or questions in the comments—your experience could help others protect their brain health, too.
But there’s one physical habit many of us do daily without thinking, and new research suggests it could be doing far more harm than we realize.
Even if you work out regularly, this hidden behavior may still be putting your brain at risk. And the consequences could be more serious than just stiff joints or poor posture.
A new study has uncovered a link between prolonged sedentary behavior—like sitting or lying down for most of the day—and increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
This was true even for participants who met the widely recommended 150 minutes of weekly exercise.
The research, conducted by Vanderbilt University Medical Center, tracked over 400 adults over the age of 50 who were dementia-free at the start.
Their activity levels were monitored for a week using special watches, and then compared to brain scans and cognitive performance tests over the following seven years.
A new study has uncovered a link between prolonged sedentary behavior and increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Image source: Medzcool / YouTube
What researchers found was troubling: those who spent more time sedentary performed worse on cognitive tests and showed signs of brain shrinkage in the hippocampus, a key memory center often affected by Alzheimer’s.
This shrinkage happens naturally as we age, but it progressed faster in participants with more inactive time.
Notably, these changes occurred regardless of how much participants exercised in their daily lives. In other words, regular workouts don’t necessarily protect your brain if you’re sitting for hours afterward.
Also read: Are you increasing your dementia risk? Experts warn against these common habits
The effects were particularly pronounced in people who carry the APOE-e4 gene, a well-known genetic marker that raises Alzheimer’s risk up to ten-fold.
Around 1 in 50 people carry this gene—including public figures like actor Chris Hemsworth.
The study suggests that for these individuals, cutting back on sedentary time may be even more crucial than exercise itself.
Scientists believe that inactivity might reduce healthy blood flow to the brain, potentially speeding up the damage caused by Alzheimer’s-related proteins.
While the study can’t prove cause and effect, it adds to mounting evidence that sitting too long is a serious health threat—even if you're otherwise fit.
According to lead author Dr. Marissa Gogniat, “Reducing your risk for Alzheimer’s disease is not just about working out once a day."
"Minimizing the time spent sitting, even if you do exercise daily, reduces the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease.” Co-author Professor Angela Jefferson stressed the importance of moving more throughout the day: “It is critical to our brain health to take breaks from sitting throughout the day and move around to increase our active time.”
This could mean standing while working, taking more walking breaks, or stretching between meetings.
Also read: Shocking FDA alert: Could these common supplements be harming your grandchild’s health?
Alzheimer’s is caused by a buildup of toxic proteins in the brain, which interfere with the brain’s ability to function properly.
Over time, this results in memory problems, confusion, and difficulty with reasoning and language—symptoms that worsen as the disease progresses.
While no cure exists yet, lifestyle adjustments like limiting sitting time could be a valuable part of prevention strategies.
If you’re wondering whether your desk job or nightly TV habit could be silently increasing your risk, now’s the time to take a closer look.
You don’t have to give up your workout—just add more movement to your day wherever possible.
That 30-minute jog is still great for your heart, but your brain might benefit just as much from standing up every hour or taking more steps around the house.
The message is clear: staying in motion matters more than we thought.
Read next: Want to get fit at any age? Here are 4 science-backed tips from an expert who studies athletes as old as 92
