Exercise Can Increase brain function?

So much for the term dumb jock, research is now proving that your daily exercise does more than just keep you healthy and feeling better but it actually can make you smarter. Research is under way that demonstrates exercise is responsible for presence of a gene that fills up your cells with brain derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) which is a protein that helps with mental sharpness, memory, increase brain function and learning.

Dartmouth College recently performed a study on healthy adult males with one group who exercised regularly and the other who did not. It came as no surprise that the group who exercised on a regular basis had higher levels of BDNF. There have also been other studies like one from the University of Illinois where lab rats were tested for exercise and enhanced living conditions and the exercise proved to be the key to higher mental acuity.

Since exercise helps increase oxygen to the brain by increasing circulation it has been thought for some time that exercise could increase brain function. Now thanks to these studies were starting to see the connection of the genetic link. So if you are thinking about whether or not to hit the gym after work it’s really a no brainer.