"that Box Will Melt Your Brain", Which Was Told to Those Who Spent Hours in Front of the Television

The warning "That box will melt your brain", which was told to those who spent hours in front of the television as a child, found a scientific response. A new study has revealed that hours spent watching television may have negative effects on brain health. In the study published in the journal Alzheimer's and Dementia, where more than 1,700 adults were followed for approximately 24 years, a decrease in brain volume was detected in men who frequently watched television in middle age.

It was determined that this shrinkage occurred in brain regions that are sensitive to Alzheimer's disease and increased damage associated with cognitive decline. The same study showed that the brain structures of people who spend most of the day sitting but solve puzzles, answer e-mails or engage in tasks that require mental effort during this time remain healthier. The gender difference revealed in the research surprised scientists.

The link between watching television and changes in brain structure was much stronger in men than in women. Experts attribute this to women dividing their sitting time more frequently or to biological differences between the two genders. It is also stated that women prefer to watch television in shorter intervals, while men spend longer and uninterrupted periods of time in the sofa due to sports competitions and movies.

Researchers from the University of Southern California emphasized that for years, only the focus has been on how long you sit, but what you do while sitting is also a critical parameter for brain health. While watching television is considered a mentally passive action, working at a desk job; It includes mental processes such as planning, reading, writing and problem solving. Such stimulating activities help the brain create "cognitive reserves" that increase its resistance to aging.