Did you know you make new brain cells your entire life?

on a par with the younger brains in the experiment. 

Sharp-witted old age The researchers, led by

neuropsychologist Maura Boldrini,

Did you know you make new brain cells your entire life?

therefore concluded that we retain the potential for mental acuity well into old age, and that the cause of any decline in our mental abilities is more likely to be due to impaired circulation and a lack of what she calls "cognitive-emotional resilience". And this is where things

get exciting for those of us who are not quite so young any more. Because in

one fell swoop, keeping fit and doing exercise makes twice as much sense. Not only does it mean we maintain our strong, healthy bodies, but we also lay

the foundations for lifelong brain health-partly because physical activity improves circulation and thus the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the brain, but also because it combats stress and relieves depression, so we become more cognitively-emotionally resilient. Who said win-win?

How to DAMAGE your brain

Sleep too little and too poorly

Many of the brain's repair processes run while you sleep. So does the cementing of your memory. That's why sleep deprivation is one of the worst things you can do to your brain. If the sleep deprivation lasts for months or years, it can lead to permanent damage, partly because harmful substances are not transported away efficiently but accumulate in the brain tissue.

Starve your brain

Fat and glucose are the most important nutrients for the brain. Fat helps build and maintain neurons, and glucose, produced when the body breaks down carbohydrates, is the fuel that most efficiently crosses the brain barrier. So, extreme diets that completely exclude these substances can threaten your mental health.

Don't use your memory

"Who was it that...?" "When was it that...?" Whenever questions like these arise, the answer is usually right at hand. In the most literal sense. But

research has shown that the more you lean on your smartphone, the worse you get not just at remembering

but at other mental tasks.

Overload the brain

Low mood, depression and stress are really bad for the brain. So bad that it leads to negative changes and shrinkage of the brain. This is partly due to an increased level of the hormone cortisol. However, very short-term stress, such as working towards a deadline, can have benefits.

Poison your brain cells

External substances can negatively affect neurons. Alcohol kills brain cells, drugs change the chemistry of the brain, organic solvents such as acetone damage neurons' fatty protection, and research has linked smoking to increased brain deterioration and a greater risk of dementia.