In a recent study, researchers report that women who were just ‘reasonably fit’ during middle age were much less likely to develop dementia than women who failed to maintain a healthy fitness routine.

The fittest women in the study were characterized as everyday exercisers, not practitioners of high-intensity fitness training. Those women were 90 percent less likely to later develop dementia than those who were least fit.

The findings are part of a growing body of research that suggests exercise can have long-term benefits on brain health.

Don’t be discouraged if you feel it’s too late to start an exercise routine. It’s never too late. If you’re completely sedentary, any amount of exercise will be good for you. Start slow and work your way up to making exercise a habit that you engage in more days of the week than not.

In addition to brain health benefits, you will likely notice that exercise improves your mood and increases energy levels. And of course there are numerous physiological benefits that you’re likely to see at your next checkup, such as lowered blood pressure, improved cholesterol levels and weight loss.