Adopting Healthy Habits May Slow Brain Aging, New Research Finds

Recent research from the University of Florida highlights the positive impact of healthy lifestyle choices on brain aging. The study demonstrates that engaging in behaviors such as maintaining good sleep, managing stress, fostering social support, and cultivating optimism can significantly influence the rate at which the brain ages. Researchers followed 128 middle-aged and older adults, many of whom experienced chronic musculoskeletal pain related to knee osteoarthritis, over a two-year period. Using MRI scans analyzed through machine learning, they estimated each participant's "brain age" and compared it with their actual chronological age. Notably, individuals exhibiting more protective factors, like quality sleep, healthy weight, and strong social ties, had brains that appeared eight years younger than their actual age at the beginning of the study. Over time, these brains aged at a slower pace. Conversely, factors such as chronic pain, low income, limited education, and social risks correlated with older-appearing brains. The findings suggest that lifestyle choices, which are within an individual's control, can contribute to healthier brain aging. Dr. Jared Tanner explained that perceiving stress differently and addressing sleep issues are actionable steps, and adopting an optimistic outlook can also be cultivated. The research underscores that neurobiological benefits are associated with each additional health-promoting behavior. Although the study focused on individuals with chronic pain, the implications extend broadly, indicating that reducing stress, improving sleep, and strengthening social support can benefit brain health in various populations. Published in Brain Communications, this research emphasizes that lifestyle is effectively medicine for aging well.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-09-healthy-habits-brain-age-slowly.html