Mind If I Pick Your Brain?

More than any other organ, you can “make or break” your brain. Studies have shown that the specific kinds of daily activities you do all throughout your life influences the degree of cognitive decline you may experience.

Researchers in Berlin studied honey bee behavior and how it affects their learning performance as they age. They found that by switching their social roles, aging bees can keep their learning agility intact and even improve it.

Can this be true for humans as well? The risk factors for age-related cognitive impairment differ in men and women. It seems that women need to be relationship focused – which means they need to maintain close friendships and family connections – for their brains to stay healthy. For men, the risk factors are more related to physical health like diabetes, stroke and weight.

Knowing this, can cognitive impairment be prevented? You can try by maintaining strong social relationships, by watching your weight and by keeping an active lifestyle. Don’t forget to learn new things (like the honey bees) to keep your mind sharp, involved and challenged.

Try this brain teaser for a good cognitive workout:

A farmer, when asked how many animals he had, replied, “They are all horses, but two, all sheep, but two and all pigs, but two.” How many animals does he have?

The answer is below, but try not to peak until you’re ready.

Answer: Three