London: A large-scale study involving nearly half a million participants has revealed that regular cycling significantly reduces the risk of dementia and improves overall brain health.
The research, conducted by an international team of scientists and published this week in a peer-reviewed journal, found that individuals who cycle regularly are 19% less likely to develop dementia. Among those already experiencing early signs of the condition, the risk dropped by as much as 40%.
MRI scans of participants showed that regular cyclists had a larger hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for memory and learning. Researchers say maintaining hippocampal volume is key to preserving cognitive functions such as memory retention, decision-making, and focus.
“These findings offer promising insight into how lifestyle interventions like regular cycling can delay or potentially prevent the onset of dementia,” researchers said. “Cycling improves blood flow to the brain, reduces inflammation, and supports neural health — all critical in maintaining cognitive function.”
Notably, even participants with a genetic predisposition to dementia saw significant benefits. Carriers of the APOE E4 gene, which is associated with a higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease, were 26% less likely to develop dementia if they cycled regularly.
Public health experts urge governments and city planners to invest in safer cycling infrastructure and awareness campaigns. They argue that promoting cycling as a daily activity could be a cost-effective strategy to combat the growing global burden of neurodegenerative diseases.
“This study confirms what many in the medical community have long suspected — that exercise, particularly cycling, plays a vital role in brain health,” said a spokesperson for the research team. “It’s time we treat it as more than a fitness trend.”
Dementia currently affects more than 55 million people worldwide, with numbers expected to double by 2050. Researchers hope these findings will lead to further studies and encourage more people to consider cycling as part of their regular health routine.
