A study of half a million Britons has revealed that cycling could slash the risk of developing young-onset dementia by up to 40 per cent.
The research, led by scientists at Huazhong University of Science and Technology in Wuhan, China, comes as troubling statistics showing cases of dementia in under-65s have surged by 69 per cent since 2014.
The comprehensive analysis found that those who used bicycles as their primary mode of transport reduced their overall dementia risk by 19 per cent compared to those relying on cars, buses or trains.
For Alzheimer's disease specifically, Britain's most common form of dementia, cycling cut the risk by 22 per cent.
For Alzheimer's disease specifically, Britain's most common form of dementia, cycling cut the risk by 22 per cent
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The research tracked nearly 500,000 participants with an average age of 56 over a 13-year period. The study group, evenly split between men and women and including individuals as young as their late 40s, were asked about their primary transport method over a four-week period.
By the study's conclusion, researchers had recorded almost 9,000 cases of dementia and 4,000 cases of Alzheimer's disease.
While the research was observational and could not definitively prove causation, the correlation between cycling and reduced dementia risk was significant, the authors added.
The study did acknowledge limitations, including reliance on transport data from just four weeks and the inability to track changes in participants' transport habits over the subsequent years.
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The findings revealed particularly encouraging news for those carrying the APOE-e4 gene, a genetic variant affecting roughly one in 50 Britons that increases Alzheimer's risk tenfold. Although the protective benefits of cycling were somewhat reduced in this group, the activity still offered some protection against cognitive decline.
The researchers wrote: "Promoting active travel strategies, particularly cycling, may be associated with lower dementia risk among middle-aged and older adults, which carries substantial public health benefits by encouraging accessible, sustainable practices for cognitive health preservation."
The stark 40 per cent reduction in young-onset dementia risk is especially significant given that approximately 71,000 Britons currently live with this form of the condition, making up around 7.5 per cent of all dementia diagnoses in the nation.
The scientists identified multiple mechanisms through which cycling protects brain health. Physical exertion increases blood flow to the brain whilst reducing inflammation, and the activity helps combat obesity and other conditions linked to dementia risk.
Brain scans revealed that frequent cyclists possessed larger hippocampi
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Beyond the physical benefits, researchers theorised that cyclists gain cognitive advantages from constantly monitoring road hazards and mentally mapping routes. Brain scans revealed that frequent cyclists possessed larger hippocampi, the brain region crucial for memory and learning.
The latest findings follow recent research showing that prolonged sitting or lying down increases Alzheimer's risk regardless of overall exercise levels.
As a result, choosing an active commute could provide substantial protection against cognitive decline, offering a practical intervention for Britain's ageing population.
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