An elderly population study conducted in China has found that people who garden frequently face a lower risk of developing dementia, according to research published in the journal Public Health. The findings were reported by Izvestia, one of Russia's oldest and best known national newspapers.
The study adds weight to a growing trend in which doctors increasingly recommend gardening as an activity that can support both mental and physical health, according to Izvestia.
Dementia has become a growing global concern as populations age, prompting scientists to study whether everyday activities such as gardening might offer any protective effects.
The researchers also found that people already diagnosed with dementia showed fewer symptoms of depression after undergoing garden therapy.
How gardening may protect the brain
One possible explanation involves stress. According to the study, a drop in cortisol, the hormone released during stress, may be accompanied by an increase in brain growth factors. Together, researchers said, these changes could create more favorable conditions for the formation of new neural connections.
Dementia is an umbrella term for a decline in memory, thinking, language and other cognitive abilities severe enough to interfere with daily life, and the risk of developing it generally rises with age.
A peer-reviewed health journal
Public Health is a peer-reviewed academic journal that publishes research on population health, disease prevention and the social and environmental factors that shape wellbeing in communities around the world.
Earlier findings from Turkey
The Chinese findings echo earlier research from Turkey, where scientists reported that regular gardening could significantly improve the psychological state of elderly people and reduce symptoms of depression. Those researchers had previously carried out a randomized controlled trial in a nursing home before reaching their conclusions.
Gardening is often described by health researchers as a form of moderate physical activity that combines light exercise with mental engagement, which may help explain why it is increasingly recommended alongside other therapies for older adults.
Researchers note that gardening requires little specialized equipment and can be adapted to different physical abilities, which may make it an appealing option for elderly people to include in their daily routines.
