Understanding How Fitness Affects The Brain And Physical Health

Author: Megha Agarwal on Dec 03,2021

Exercising has multiple benefits for our body and health while being preventive and curative. Understanding how fitness affects the brain and physical health is therefore extremely important. Any amount of exercise, even when falling below the suggested levels, is highly likely to produce benefits for our bodies. 

 

Exercise benefits both our physical as well as mental well-being. Indeed, the Institute on Aging states that “taking it easy” and not moving our bodies enough is risky for our future selves. 

 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also states that regular physical activity is a significant measure you can undertake for your health. Everyone benefits from it, not just you but also the people around you. 

 

A few decades back, the pioneering epidemiological study published in The Lancet stated how the rates of coronary heart diseases were lowering among extremely fit and active bus conductors in London compared to the less active ones. 

 

So understanding and knowing how fitness affects the brain, and physical health can actually lead you to live a better life. As per reports and research, physical inactivity is linked to over 40 chronic diseases and conditions. This article tries to look at certain benefits of regular exercising and understand how fitness affects the brain and physical health. 

 

How Fitness Affects Our Physical Health

 

 

To understand how fitness affects the brain and our physical health, let’s first understand the benefits it poses for our physical health. 

 

Improvement in our cardiovascular health 

 

The first step to understanding how fitness affects the brain and physical health is knowing its benefits to our cardiovascular health. Regular exercising is extremely good for our heart health. Possible benefits of the same include:

 

1. Improvement in our cholesterol levels 

2. Lowering our blood pressure 

3. Reduction in the risk of heart diseases and heart attacks 

4. Reduction in the risk of strokes

 

Reducing our overall risk of developing cardiovascular disease is one of the most significant benefits of exercising. 

 

A person can start to experience multiple benefits of exercising regularly right away. Despite this, CDC recommends that adults only perform 150 minutes of moderate-intensity workout every week. 

 

The overall benefits continue to enhance as people get more and more active. 

 

Helping manage diabetes 

 

As per the American Diabetes Association, different kinds of fitness regimes and exercising can benefit multiple people with type 2 diabetes or those at risk of type 2 diabetes. Exercising can help them:

 

- Improve their blood glucose levels 

- Reduces their cardiovascular risk factors 

- Helping in their weight loss 

- Helping improve their general well-being and lifestyle 

- Delaying or preventing any form of risk development of type-2 diabetes 

 

Exercising can also benefit people who have type 1 diabetes by helping them:

 

- Improve their cardiovascular fitness 

- Strengthening their muscles 

- Improve their insulin sensitivity 

 

As per the American Diabetes Association, it is important that we all understand how fitness affects the brain and physical health, especially in the cases of diabetes. Physical activity and exercise must be recommended and prescribed to everyone with diabetes as a part of overall health management and glycemic control. 

 

Reduction in the risk of cancers 

 

According to The National Cancer Institute, there is strong evidence suggesting that higher levels of physical activity and exercising can lower the risk of developing multiple cancers. The cancers whose risk can be reduced are those of colon, stomach, breast, bladder, esophageal, uterine, and kidney. 

 

In an analytical study from 2016 on 26 breast, colorectal, and prostate cancer, it was found that there was a 37% reduction in cancer-specific mortality rates in physically active patients, as compared to the other patients who were not active physically. 

 

Therefore, we can deduce that there might be a certain link between reduced risk of some cancers with physical activity. However, the evidence currently is bleak. 

 

Improving your bone health 

 

As per CDC, exercising regularly can also help prevent our bone density loss, which tends to occur with age. Performing vigorous or moderate-intensity workouts, muscle strengthening exercises, or even aerobic exercise can help strengthen your bones and help us all lead better lives in the long run. 

 

Real benefits for bone density start with only approximately 90 minutes of working out every week. A weight-bearing fitness regime, including dancing or walking and even resistance training, is excellent for maintaining bone health. Since physical activity improves our bone health, it can also help treat or prevent osteoporosis. 

 

Increases your chance of a long life 

 

The 2018 reports from the Department of Health and Human Services suggest that physical activity can delay death and help people lead longer lives. 

 

What’s even better here is that the benefits start accumulating with even the smallest attempts at maintaining a physical regime with moderate exercise. The biggest jump here being - a person suddenly being active, even just a little bit, from being completely inactive. 

 

Keeps your weight in check 

 

According to the CDC, there is great evidence that suggests exercise is great when it comes to maintaining your weight. Although it might take more than what the recommended amount is for someone, it does genuinely help! 

 

Generally, losing weight and keeping it off requires a balanced and healthy diet. It is very easy to overestimate the number of calories that an exercise can burn. 

 

According to CDC, here are a few examples of calories burnt by a person weighing 154 pounds with an hour of activity in a day: 

 

Hiking - 370 calories 

Running/jogging at 5 miles an hour - 590 calories 

Light gardening - 330 calories

Helps sleep better 

 

Regular exercising can help us understand how fitness affects the brain, especially our sleep. Physical activity helps us all sleep better. Most of these benefits can be seen pretty early on, as one starts exercising. Regular exercise can help us all:

 

- Increase our sleep efficiency

- Improving the quality of sleep 

- Inducing deep sleep 

- Reducing our daytime sleepiness/drowsiness 

- Reduces our need to relying on any sleep medication 

 

How Fitness Affects The Brain 

 

 

Now that we are all caught up with how fitness affects our physical health let’s also understand how fitness affects the brain and brain health. 

 

Improvement in your mental health and mood 

Yes, exercising and activity can improve our physical health. But did you know it also enhances our mental health and mood? Understanding how fitness affects the brain is therefore important to lead better lives. Exercising helps reduce anxiety, which benefits us right after a moderate or high-intensity exercise session. 

 

- In the long run, regular physical activity can help reduce the risk of depression. 

- Enhances your brain function and reduces the risk of dementia

- How fitness affects the brain function is something that is truly mesmerizing to understand. Regular physical activity can help lower the risk of one developing dementia or Alzheimer’s in the long run. 

 

In people above the age of 50, physical activity can improve various aspects of their cognitive abilities, like their process speed. As per a 2016 study, evidence suggests that physical activity combined with cognitive activities can help promote better brain health and function in older adults. In combination, these two activities can help reduce the risk of neurodegenerative diseases and keep the cognitive manifestations of aging at bay. 

 

To summarize 

 

Regular health maintenance for a better quality of life starts with you! Exercising regularly can reduce multiple diseases and improve your mental health. It helps better your mood, makes you fitter and happier, and also extends your lifespan. Exercise truly benefits you and everyone around you. 

 

Understanding how fitness affects the brain and physical health is extremely important. Benefits of the same can arise quickly in most cases, especially for someone who has long been inactive. 

 

Even when a person is far from meeting their weekly goals of physical activity, the first steps that one takes are what counts. They are significantly worthwhile. 

 

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 Food isn't just fuel - it sets the tone for how you feel every single day. If you've ever noticed how a sugar-heavy breakfast leaves you cranky by noon or how a hearty balanced meal makes you calm, that's the direct link between what you eat and your mood. The truth is, there are certain mood boosting foods that can genuinely lift your energy, sharpen focus, and keep stress in check. Alongside that, there's a special category known as adaptogens foods, herbs and plants that support your body's stress response.Both play different roles but work brilliantly together. Let's break them down in a way that's easy to use, with actual food examples and some practical ways to fit them into daily life.What Makes a Food "Mood Boosting"?Not every meal has the power to shift your mood, but some foods do because of the nutrients they carry. Mood boosting food usually contains one (or more) of the following:Tryptophan and amino acids - precursors to serotonin and dopamine, your "feel-good" brain chemicals.Healthy fats - the brain thrives on good fats, especially omega-3s.Magnesium and B vitamins - critical for stress regulation and nerve health.Antioxidants - they fight oxidative stress, which otherwise drags down mood and energy.Stable carbs and fiber - they prevent blood sugar crashes, which are classic triggers for irritability.That's the science. But in plain terms: foods that keep your energy steady, protect your brain, and help your body make the right chemicals fall under mood boosting foods.Also check: 10 Easy and Healthy Nutrition Recipes for a Balanced DietAdaptogens Foods: A Step BeyondNow, adaptogens are a different story. Think of them as herbs and roots that don't just nourish but actually train your body to handle stress better. Adaptogens food doesn't just fill you up - it interacts with your adrenal system, balancing cortisol (your stress hormone), improving resilience, and helping you recover from mental and physical fatigue.Some examples of classic adaptogens foods include:Ashwagandha - calming, supports sleep and reduces anxiety.Tulsi (Holy Basil) - clears the head, great for stress relief.Maca root - energy and hormone balance.Reishi mushrooms - grounding, immune supportive, calming.Licorice root - supports adrenal function, especially in times of burnout.The beauty of foods with adaptogens is that you don't need huge amounts. A small spoon of powder in your smoothie, a tulsi tea at night, or even an herbal snack ball can be enough.How Mood Boosting Foods and Adaptogens Work TogetherMood boosting foods cover your daily base: steady energy, brain support, and nutrient balance.Adaptogens foods come in as extra armor, especially during stress-heavy weeks or when you feel mentally drained.For example: oatmeal with berries and chia seeds is a solid mood-boosting food breakfast. Add a teaspoon of maca powder, and suddenly it becomes a meal that also falls into the "foods with adaptogens" category.Everyday Mood Boosting Foods to Keep AroundHere's a breakdown of everyday mood-boosting foods you can actually eat without hunting down rare ingredients:Fatty fish - Salmon, sardines, and mackerel are loaded with omega-3s. These fats keep brain cells flexible and directly impact mood regulation.Eggs - They pack protein, vitamin B12, and choline. Great for steady energy.Dark leafy greens - Spinach, kale, Swiss chard: magnesium powerhouses. Low magnesium is linked to higher stress and anxiety.Nuts and seeds - Almonds, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, chia, flax. They give you healthy fats and fiber.Berries - Antioxidant rich and naturally sweet. They fight oxidative stress, which is often overlooked in mood discussions.Dark chocolate - Real chocolate (70%+ cocoa), not candy bars. It improves blood flow in the brain and offers a quick mental lift.Fermented foods - Yogurt, kefir, kimchi, sauerkraut. Your gut and brain are connected, so a healthy gut = better mood.Whole grains - Brown rice, oats, quinoa. They prevent the sugar spikes and dips that wreck your mood.Keep these on rotation, and you'll notice fewer crashes and more mental stability.Also check: 10 Outrageously Delicious Sandwich Ideas To Blow Your MindAdaptogens Foods You Can Actually UseNow let's get specific with adaptogens food you can start with. These herbs may sound "wellness trendy," but they've been used for centuries in Ayurveda, Chinese medicine, and traditional healing.Ashwagandha: Best for people dealing with anxiety, irritability, or sleep struggles. Works well in warm milk or even chocolate drinks.Tulsi (Holy Basil): Excellent in tea form. It has a calming yet clear-headed effect, ideal for mid-day breaks.Licorice root: Often made into tea. Good for fatigue, but if you have blood pressure issues, use lightly.Maca: The easiest adaptogen to use. Toss a spoonful into smoothies or oatmeal. It has a nutty, earthy flavor.Reishi: Great for evenings because it calms the nervous system. Works best as tea or powder.Lion's Mane: A mushroom that supports focus and memory. Many people use it in coffee alternatives.These are not instant fixes - adaptogens foods work over time. Think weeks, not days.Recipes with Foods and AdaptogensAdding adaptogens doesn't have to feel complicated. Here are some easy examples inspired by Ayurvedic recipes:Tulsi Date Nut Balls - Blend dates, cashews, and sunflower seeds with a spoon of tulsi powder. Roll into bite-size snacks. You get healthy fats + fiber + adaptogens.Ashwagandha Hot Chocolate - Mix cocoa powder, a dash of cinnamon, and ashwagandha into warm almond milk. Sweeten with honey if you like.Maca Oatmeal Bowl - Make oatmeal, then stir in maca powder, berries, and a spoon of almond butter. That's mood boosting food plus adaptogens food in one bowl.Rose Licorice Latte - Steep licorice root with rose petals, then add warm milk. A calming drink for winding down.These little swaps are how you transform regular meals into foods with adaptogens without making your diet complicated.Building a Mood-Friendly Day of EatingHere's how you could structure meals to get a mix of mood-boosting foods and adaptogens foods:Breakfast: Oats with chia seeds, blueberries, walnuts, and a spoon of maca.Snack: Yogurt with flaxseed and a few dark chocolate chips.Lunch: Grilled salmon, quinoa, and spinach salad with olive oil.Afternoon: Tulsi tea with a tulsi date nut ball.Dinner: Stir-fry with chicken or tofu, colorful veggies, garlic, ginger, and brown rice. Add turmeric for extra antioxidants.Evening: Rose licorice latte or ashwagandha hot chocolate.This plan shows how both categories fit naturally into daily life.Things to Keep in MindStart small - especially with adaptogens. Half a teaspoon in tea or smoothies is plenty.Quality matters - not all powders or teas are pure. Buy from trusted brands.Don't skip basics - eating an occasional adaptogen while living on processed food won't work. The foundation is still balanced meals.Patience is key - mood boosting foods often show quick benefits, but adaptogens foods work slowly and steadily.Why This Matters NowStress, low energy, and anxiety are everywhere. People turn to caffeine or sugar for quick fixes, but those crash later. Building your diet around mood-boosting foods and sprinkling in foods with adaptogens is a smarter, long-term strategy. You feel better, sleep better, and handle challenges without burning out.Don't Miss: 9 Delicious Ice Cream Topping Ideas For Your Next Party!Final ThoughtsThe takeaway is simple: your plate is a powerful tool. Mood boosting food keeps you balanced day to day, while adaptogens food builds resilience over time. You don't need exotic rituals - just small additions like tulsi tea, dark chocolate with ashwagandha, or a maca oatmeal bowl.When you combine these consistently, your body doesn't just survive stress - it adapts to it. That's the difference between dragging yourself through the week and actually feeling steady, calm, and energized.