Exercise Is the Best Way to Strengthen the Brain (Exercise for Health)
The brain is known as the "capital residence of spiritual essence," the command center of life activities, and its functions have always been highly valued. Thus, humans have never ceased exploring ways to enhance brain function. As a result, countless brain-enhancing foods and medicines flood the market, all claiming to boost energy supply to brain tissue and improve blood flow. However, in today’s era of abundant nutrition, these two effects can be fully achieved through physical exercise.
We know the brain accounts for about 1/47 of total body weight, yet it demands a massive amount of glucose and oxygen—up to 20–30% of the body’s total oxygen consumption. The heart pumps about 1/5 of its output specifically to supply the brain. During intense work, the brain’s demand for oxygen and nutrients increases even further. Active brain metabolism relies on strong heart and lung function. Beneficial physical activity enhances respiration, promotes blood circulation, speeds gas exchange, increases oxygen-rich blood output, and delivers ample oxygen and nutrients to the brain, improving central nervous system nourishment.
Physical exercise also raises the content of ribonucleic acid (RNA) in brain tissue, promoting synthesis. Since memory storage depends on proteins, and RNA plays a role in protein synthesis, exercise facilitates the re-synthesis of energy in the brain, enhancing memory.
Exercise helps eliminate brain fatigue. Prolonged mental work leads to declining heart and lung function, resulting in inadequate oxygen and nutrient supply and failure to remove metabolic waste. This causes brain exhaustion and reduced efficiency. Appropriate physical activity can accelerate blood circulation, deliver sufficient oxygen and nutrients, and quickly relieve fatigue.
Research shows physical activity can improve visual and auditory sensitivity by up to 30% in already fatigued individuals.<brain>