Study suggests midlife belly fat accumulation may affect fluid intelligence

The beginning of a new year is a great incentive to consider purposes such as losing weight in order to have a healthier life and a figure that pleases us, making us feel better about ourselves. This goal, which may seem temporary, is also good for our mental health in the long run.

O incredible.club wants to talk to you about a study that suggests being overweight can have an effect on intelligence, and not exactly a positive one.

Auriel Willette, Assistant Professor of Food Science at the University of Iowa, along with Brandon Klinedinst, student of neuroscience, analyzed information on more than 4,000 adults between 40 and 50 years old.

The study was about the relationship of muscle mass and adipose tissue in relation to fluid intelligence over a period of six years. Fluid intelligence is what makes us capable of solving problems for the first time, that is, our ability to adapt to new things.

Regardless of socioeconomic status or education level, there was greater deterioration in fluid intelligence in middle-aged men and women, who accumulated more abdominal fat, a situation that continued to advance with age. With regard to greater muscle mass, Willete and Klinedinst found that, on the contrary, this appeared to be a positive factor.

Scientists explain that this happens thanks to a function of our immune system, which increases its activity in the brain in proportion to the body mass index (BMI). This inflammation can cause cognition to deteriorate more quickly.

The researchers also established that age is not a very important factor in the loss of fluid intelligence over time; however, the amount of fat accumulated in the abdominal area is.

As they age, men and women tend to accumulate more fatty tissue. In the particular case of women, who also have less muscle mass, this increase generates lymphocytes and eosinophils.

These are two types of white blood cells that are different from those generated in men, which explains, according to the researchers, why the wear and tear of fluid intelligence is greater in women.

Although there is a tendency to increase adipose tissue in middle age, there are also measures we can take to prevent the accumulation of fat in the abdomen area and take care of our mental health. Some of them are:

Drink green tea: this variety of tea has several nutrients and its long-term consumption can be beneficial against obesity, helping to lose abdominal fat.

Eat probiotic foods: the bacteria from these types of products are beneficial to supplement your diet as they help reduce fat accumulation.

Rest as much as you need: especially in the case of women, as there is a relationship between weight gain and lack of sleep.

Perform aerobic exercises: activities such as running, cycling, swimming, and any medium-intensity, long-lasting exercise have proven to be effective in losing belly fat.

However, remember that each body is unique, so it is advisable to consult a specialized doctor to help you in your particular case.

Although obesity can increase the risk of having a deficit in some intellectual skills, a study of 1,000 people followed for at least 30 years found no decline in intelligence during the first half of life.

In the case of children who later developed obesity, they did not show major changes in IQ. The study also didn’t record that obesity played a role in conditions like dementia, nor did it consider other midlife health factors to make a definitive statement.

Is losing a little abdominal fat among your plans? Do you think being in shape can influence other less obvious aspects of our health? We want to know your opinion, share with us in the comments!