New study reveals that a ten minute daily walk helps fight dementia

According to scientists, a daily 10-minute walk can ward off dementia.

One study found that even light physical activity improves function in parts of the brain responsible for memory formation and storage.

The researchers said that a single 10-minute walk had produced considerable cognitive benefits – suggesting that exercise could be "prescribed" to the elderly to fight Alzheimer's disease.

Professor Michael Yassa, co-head of the project, from the University of California at Irvine, said, "What we have observed is that these 10-minute exercise periods have given results immediately after.

"Even short breaks during the day can have significant effects on improving memory and cognition."

The researchers studied 36 healthy volunteers aged 19 to 23 years.

They found that after a light exercise, the volunteers were better able to remember a series of images that had been shown to them before.

Yassa added, "It is clear that it is extremely helpful to understand which exercise prescription is best for older people, so that we can make recommendations to avoid cognitive decline."

According to the World Health Organization, people 65 years and older should do at least 150 minutes of aerobic physical activity a week, including walking, dancing, gardening or cycling.