Archive · 14 Jan 2026
Body Clock Linked to Long-Term Brain Health and Dementia Risk
Our body has a 24-hour clock called the circadian rhythm that controls when we sleep, eat, and wake up.
A big study in 2025 found that people with a strong body clock had a much lower chance of getting dementia.
Those with irregular body clocks had a higher risk.
The study also looked at how sleep and heart health are connected to dementia.
Experts suggest that regular exercise, especially outdoors, can help keep our body clock healthy and reduce the risk of dementia.
However, the exact link between sleep and dementia is still not fully clear.
A 2025 study of 2,000 people with an average age of 79 found that a strong circadian rhythm nearly halved the risk of developing dementia.
Participants with irregular body clocks had a 7% dementia rate compared to 10% in those with regular rhythms over three years.
Disrupted circadian rhythms are linked to poor sleep, which is a suspected contributor to both dementia and heart disease.
The study accounted for heart health and high blood pressure but did not consider sleep apnoea.
Regular moderate exercise, particularly outdoors and before midday, is recommended to support healthy circadian rhythms and reduce dementia risk.
- Who
- 2,000 participants with an average age of 79
- What
- Study on the impact of circadian rhythms on dementia risk
- When
- 2025
- Where
- Not specified
- Why
- To understand the relationship between circadian rhythms and long-term brain health
- Study Year
- 2025
- Participants
- 2,000
- Average Age
- 79
- Dementia Risk Reduction
- Almost halved with strong circadian rhythm
- Follow-Up Duration
- 3 years
- Dementia in Irregular Rhythms
- 7%
- Dementia in Regular Rhythms
- 10%
- Recommended Exercise
- 30 minutes daily, outdoors, before midday
