For years, researchers have believed prolonged sitting could raise dementia risk — but new findings suggest the type of sitting may matter more than previously thought.

The research, which was published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine in March, found that replacing mentally passive sedentary behavior with mentally active sedentary behavior was associated with a significant reduction in dementia risk.

Mentally active sedentary behaviors could include reading, office work and other activities that keep the brain engaged while sitting, while mentally passive behaviors may include watching television or other low-engagement screen activities.

‘I’M A NEUROLOGIST — HERE’S WHY DEMENTIA IS RISING AND HOW TO REDUCE YOUR RISK’

To gather the findings, Swedish researchers analyzed data from more than 20,000 adults between ages 35 and 64 who were tracked over a 19-year period, between 1997 and 2016, according to a press release.

Participants answered questions about their sitting habits, physical activity and other lifestyle behaviors, while dementia diagnoses were identified using Swedish health and death records.

Mentally active sedentary behavior was associated with “a significant reduction in dementia risk” compared to more passive sitting activities.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES

Although the study was based in Sweden, the release said the findings “are likely generalizable to a wider global population” and could help “inform public health guidelines and preventive strategies to reduce dementia.”

In a statement, lead researcher Dr. Mats Hallgren of Sweden’s Karolinska Institute said the study highlighted major distinctions between passive and mentally engaging sedentary habits when it comes to brain health.

“While all sitting involves minimal energy expenditure, it may be differentiated by the level of brain activity,” said Hallgren.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

“How we use our brains while we are sitting appears to be a crucial determinant of future cognitive functioning and, as we have shown, may predict dementia onset.”

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

Sedentary behavior is a “ubiquitous but modifiable risk factor for many health conditions, including dementia,” according to the researcher.

“Our study adds the observation that not all sedentary behaviors are equivalent; some may increase the risk of dementia, while others may be protective,” he added. “It is important to remain physically active as we age, but also mentally active — especially when we are sitting.”

The CDC projects that by 2060, nearly 14 million American adults will have Alzheimer’s disease.

One recent study published by the Alzheimer’s Association found that a person’s biological age may be tied to dementia risk.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Researchers also recently found that a higher intake of unprocessed meat may protect against dementia in older people who have a variant of a certain gene.

Walking is a great way to get the body moving and clear the mind — but if you’re doing it wrong, it may do more harm than good.

That’s according to Dr. Milica McDowell, author of the new book “Walk,” a guide to getting the most out of walking.

The Montana-based doctor of physical therapy, who specializes in lower extremity and orthopedics, shared in an interview with Fox News Digital how powerful walking can be.

WALKING STYLE COULD BE KEY TO LONGEVITY AND INJURY COMEBACKS, ACCORDING TO EXPERTS

“Walking has incredible health benefits for your wellness today and your longevity tomorrow,” she said. “And it’s something that’s at an all-time low since the pandemic.”

“Walking improves every system in your body – gut, musculoskeletal, mental health, your hormones – and so it has an incredible power to help optimize how you’re doing.”

McDowell added that walking is a “phenomenal way” to support a weight-loss journey, as it’s low-impact and low-intensity. It can also boost creativity and reduce stress.

JUST 5 MINUTES OF EXERCISE COULD REDUCE HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, STUDY FINDS

While the health benefits of walking are evident, McDowell warned of some mistakes that could reverse progress.

No. 1: Walking while scrolling

Escaping our phones can sometimes feel impossible, but if there’s ever a time to be on do-not-disturb, it’s during a walk, according to McDowell.

Walking while scrolling is “really dangerous,” she cautioned, as you’re less aware of your surroundings and more susceptible to accidents.

“You could step in a pothole. You could get hit by a car. You could trip over something. You could bump into someone,” she said. “Walking and scrolling is actually a bit of a public health crisis.”

SIMPLE DAILY ACTIVITY COULD REDUCE RISK OF LOWER BACK PAIN, STUDY FINDS

Scrolling also puts the neck in a downward position, making the head heavier, which changes your posture “from the top down,” McDowell said. “That can be a problem if you’re someone who struggles with neck pain, back pain or shoulder pain.”

No. 2: Wearing the wrong shoes

McDowell recommends wearing a proper shoe designed specifically for walking to support the feet, promote healthy alignment and protect musculoskeletal health.

The shoe should be “shaped like a foot” so that the toes have room to spread within a wide toe box, she said.

Having space between each toe activates more muscles in the foot and creates a “more healthy walking gait,” according to the expert.

SIMPLE JAPANESE FITNESS TREND COULD ADD 7 YEARS TO LIFE EXPECTANCY, EXPERTS SAY

More than 60% of adults wear the wrong shoe size, according to McDowell, and sizing can vary significantly between brands and manufacturers. She recommends getting measured by a professional to ensure the optimal fit.

No. 3: Not balancing your routine

Walking engages important muscles that support stability and mobility, including the glutes, which help propel the body forward with each step.

But walking shouldn’t be your only form of exercise, experts say. Incorporating strength training and other forms of movement can help prevent overuse injuries, improve balance and build overall fitness.

“A health stack includes drinking enough water, having healthy nutrition and sleeping adequately — and walking can be added to the other activities,” she said.

Pairing walking with activities like weightlifting, pickleball, dancing or CrossFit can help create a more balanced fitness routine, according to McDowell, and are all part of building a strong “health stack.”

“A health stack includes drinking [enough] water, having healthy nutrition, sleeping adequately — and walking can be added to the other activities,” she said.

No. 4: Not considering walking speed

The speed at which we walk may tell us more about our health than we think.

ALZHEIMER’S DECLINE COULD SLOW DRAMATICALLY WITH ONE SIMPLE DAILY HABIT, STUDY FINDS

Walking speed is the sixth vital sign of health, according to McDowell. These clinical measurements also include blood pressure, heart rate and body temperature.

If your walking speed begins to decline, this could be a marker of underlying health conditions up to seven years before they occur.

While most people walk at about 90 to 100 steps per minute, translating to about three miles per hour, McDowell suggested increasing your speed to reap “higher level benefits.”

This might mean taking a brisk walk at about 120 to 130 steps per minute, or three and a half to four miles an hour.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES

“That can be a place where you get higher level payoff, including more calories burned, if you’re on a weight-loss journey,” she said.

No. 5: Not staying consistent

McDowell emphasized the importance of staying consistent with your walking routine. 

A daily walk will have bigger payoffs than only walking once or twice a week. The expert likened walking to basic hygiene, such as brushing your teeth.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

“Everyone is at different places on their walking journey,” she said. “Don’t set the 10,000 steps per day benchmark. That is a marketing myth … Go ahead and find a step count that works well for you, maybe between 5,500 and 7,500.”

Efficiency is everything

McDowell summed up that each walk should be efficient.

“If you are an efficient walker, you are graceful, you are not wasting energy, you are walking balanced no matter your height, your weight or your age,” she said.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

As the wellness movement has emphasized the importance of just moving, McDowell commented that walking is a “pinnacle activity” in this push.

“People are recognizing that these softer, more consistent activities can provide a lot of benefit for our physical and mental health,” she said.

“You don’t have to go and crush yourself in the gym. You don’t have to be dripping sweat … It’s something you can do for periods of time throughout the day, little ‘snacks’ that all add up, or you can take longer walks depending on what time is available to you.”

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

Walking can also be a positive social experience done with friends and loved ones, McDowell noted. This is particularly important for seniors who can benefit from the combined physical activity and social interaction.

“Walking with an older adult can help combat loneliness,” she said. “It can also help improve balance and reaction time, and reduce fall risk.”

Drinking filtered water may extend a person’s life by several months, according to a new study.

The research, published in the American Journal of Health Economics, reveals that being exposed to water filtration systems early in life can significantly increase longevity. By analyzing public health infrastructure shifts from the early 20th century, researchers found that city water filtration alone increased the lifespan of older American men by an average of 3.2 months.

UPGRADE YOUR TAP WITH THESE COUNTERTOP REVERSE OSMOSIS SYSTEMS

“While water quality has improved in many areas, this study shows the real impacts to communities without access to safe water, both in the U.S. and globally,” co-author Jason Fletcher, a professor at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, said in a press release.

“The consequences on human health are significant.”

The team analyzed data from the Social Security Administration’s Death Master Files. They tracked death records for American men born between 1975 and 2005, mapping each individual’s year and city of birth to historical water filtration records.

WHERE YOU LIVE COULD SHAPE YOUR RISK OF CANCER MORTALITY, STUDY SUGGESTS

By connecting early-life environments to late-life outcomes, the researchers isolated the lifelong impact of clean water.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES

Beyond adding months to a person’s life, the study suggests that clean water in childhood sets off a positive chain reaction for socioeconomic and physical development.

Additional data from mid-20th-century censuses showed that early exposure to filtered water was linked to increased height, higher education and income levels later in life.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

The paper is part of a broader research initiative called the American Mortality Project, which examines how early-life conditions shape the modern American lifespan.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

The researchers exclusively analyzed historical data from American men, meaning the findings may not fully capture how early-life water filtration impacted the long-term longevity, physical growth, or cognitive scores of women from the same era.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

The data is limited to public health infrastructure changes across U.S. cities during a specific window in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Because of this, the exact timeline and magnitude of the lifespan extension (3.2 months) may not directly translate to modern developing nations, rural communities, or areas with different environments.