One simple daily activity can give you hints about how fast your body and brain age

 

A surprisingly simple daily activity that can reveal how fast your body and brain are aging is walking speed. Researchers have found that the pace at which you naturally walk, especially in middle age, can act as a window into your overall health, cognitive function, and even lifespan. People who walk more slowly tend to show signs of accelerated aging in both their bodies and brains, including weaker lungs, poorer balance, and reduced memory function, compared to those who walk briskly.

What makes walking speed remarkable is that it doesn’t just measure fitness, it reflects the condition of multiple systems working together: muscles, heart, lungs, nerves, and the brain. Doctors sometimes call it a “vital sign” for aging, similar to blood pressure or heart rate. If your walking pace noticeably slows down over time without another clear reason, it may be an early warning sign to check in on your health.

See also: Do you know the warning signs of stomach cancer