(Grace Wade/ New Scientist) — A large study found that infrequent bowel movements are associated with a 73 per cent increased risk of cognitive decline, including deficits in memory and attention
Chronic constipation is associated with an increased risk of cognitive decline. The finding adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting that gut health plays a role in dementia and related illnesses, such as Alzheimer’s disease.
To understand how constipation relates to brain health, Chaoran Ma at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and her colleagues analysed data from more than 110,000 adults. Everyone reported the frequency of their bowel movements between 2012 and 2013. They also assessed changes in their own memory, attention and other aspects of cognition over a two- to four-year period with a survey.
The researchers found that those with chronic constipation – having bowel movements every three days or more – had worse cognitive function compared with participants who had daily bowel movements, equivalent to three additional years of cognitive ageing. (…)