Autism Goes Undiagnosed In About 90% Of Over-40s. I Asked Experts How To Spot It

Posted on 03/02/2026 by Boris Clair

You might have heard that autism diagnoses are on the rise in the UK. Some even argue it’s being “overdiagnosed”.

But the National Autistic Society says that about 750,000 autistic adults in the UK remain undiagnosed. And a 2025 review estimated that 89% of autistic adults over 40 remain undiagnosed, with that figure rising to 96% for over-60s.

Here, HuffPost UK spoke to the review’s author, research fellow and co-leader of the ReSpect Lab, Dr Gavin Stewart, about why those numbers might be so high, and how autism might show up among older adults.

Why are these numbers so high?

Dr Stewart said that in his research, an overwhelming majority of autistic people aged 40 and older remained undiagnosed.

He explained that there are “many reasons” for that.

“First, the diagnostic criteria for autism have greatly evolved over the past several decades. It was originally conceptualised with very narrow diagnostic criteria,” he said.

“This meant that it was a rare condition, affecting around 1 in 3,000 people in the 1960s.”

But as our understanding of autism expanded, he said, so too did the diagnostic criteria; autism is now recognised as a “spectrum affecting around 1 in 100 to 1 in 33 people.

“This means that many middle-aged and older people were likely overlooked when they were young as they did not fit the narrow diagnostic criteria being used at the time.”

Some members of this group, however, can go on to get a diagnosis under the new criteria, he added.

Why does it matter if people stay undiagnosed into older age?

Having autism without realising it can affect people’s lives in many ways, the study author told us.

“For some, it might mean that they are not able to access help and support that would be available to them if they did have a diagnosis. For example, autistic people often benefit from additional support while as a child in school, or as an adult when in higher education or in employment.”

Their physical health might be affected, too.

“Autistic people often have more complex health support needs, including age-related health conditions as they get older. While accommodations can be made to make healthcare more accessible for autistic people, if the person has not been recognised,” Dr Stewart said.

And a lack of tailored support can take its toll on autistic people’s mental health, too.

“They are more likely to become socially isolated and have poorer well-being, which in turn can lead them to be more susceptible to periods of crisis like suicide.”

What are some signs of undiagnosed autism in over-40s?

Some signs of autism are “common” among both diagnosed and undiagnosed autistic people, said Dr Stewart.

These can include:

1) Social difficulties

“In social situations, an autistic person might find it hard to read what other people are thinking or feeling, and they might struggle to tell when someone is joking or being sarcastic.

“Making and maintaining friendships can feel effortful, and people might
perceive them as being quite blunt or uninterested without meaning to. This might make them feel quite anxious and uncertain in social situations, meaning they prefer to be on their own.”

2) Very consistent and rigid routines

“In daily routines, an autistic person might have a strong preference for sameness, so doing things the same way every time, and when things change, it can be quite distressing,” said Dr Stewart.

3) Special interests

“They may also have very focused interests, which can be beneficial for
some but not always.”

4) Becoming overwhelmed and/or overstimulated often

“They may also find certain sensory environments quite
overwhelming, and notice details that many other people do not, like the way a room smells or the buzzing of overhead lights.”

Dr Stewart noted that some autistic people, especially women, will have learned to “mask”, meaning they “have learned to hide parts of themselves to fit in
better, but this is an effortful process and can have an impact on their wellbeing.”

What if I think I have autism?

Dr Stewart advised speaking to a healthcare professional, like a GP, if you think you might have autism and want to explore an assessment.

“There are also charities and organisations, like the National Autistic Society in the UK, who can provide information about accessing autism assessments as an adult,” he added.

You can reach out to the National Autistic Society through this link.

A Simple Change To Your Commute Could Boost Your Brain, Says Dementia Charity

Posted on 26/01/2026 by Boris Clair

According to neurologist Dr Richard Restak’s book How To Prevent Dementia, “Cognitive reserve theory refers to the representation stored within the brain of the knowledge, experience, and life events that accumulate during the course of a person’s lifetime”.

The more “cognitive reserve” we have, he explained, the better we might be protected against conditions like dementia. “A lifetime investment in building up cognitive reserve leads to healthy cognition and thinking later in life,” he wrote.

Dr Restak called reading fiction “perhaps the single most effective” way to build this up.

But Alzheimer’s Research UK, who have launched a Think Brain Health campaign this year, are releasing brain teasers to help us build up our reserves, which they say can be done in quiet moments like during your commut.

After all, research suggests that puzzles like crosswords may help to strengthen our minds as we age, too.

Challenging our brains is good for us – but may be falling out of style

Alzheimer’s UK found that only 30% of UK adults do “brain-teasing” activities like soduko and crosswords, while 32% say they do them less often now than they did a year ago.

And even though 71% of us have free time on public transport, 68% of us use that period to scroll through our phones or watch shows, they wrote.

So, the foundation has created a brain teaser to help people fill gaps like those in their schedule. They began by launching an image which hides 40 train station names, created with artist Chris Bishop.

“Research suggests that there are steps we can all take to protect our brain health and build our cognitive reserve, making our brains more resilient no matter what age we start,” Dr Jacqui Hanley, Head of Research at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said.

“If someone with a high cognitive reserve develops dementia, studies have found that they typically experience Alzheimer’s symptoms around five years later than those who don’t regularly challenge their brains.

“It’s never too early to make positive lifestyle changes, and this brain-teasing puzzle is a great way to introduce brain challenges into your daily routine”.

How many train station names can you find in this image?

For their first brain teaser, Alzheimer’s Research UK shared an image created with artist Chris Bishop and released with support from Great Western Railway.

It contains 40 hidden train station names in the UK. And if, like me, you find the image truly challenging, Alzheimer’s UK said, “This puzzle has been designed to help you challenge your brain, so don’t worry if you didn’t find them all”.

After all, Dan Panes, Head of External Communications at Great Western Railway, said, “This puzzle had some of our colleagues scratching their heads!”

Adulthood Starts After 30 And The Three Other ‘Brain Eras’ We Get

Posted on 27/12/2025 by Boris Clair

New research released by Cambridge University has revealed that our brains develop at five pivotal ages in our lives and, it turns out, adulthood doesn’t really kick in until people are around 32.

The study was based on the brain scans of almost 4,000 people aged under one to 90 and it mapped neural connections and how they evolve over our lifetimes. The research revealed five broad phases with pivotal ‘turning points’ around the ages of 9, 32, 66 and 83 years old.

Professor Duncan Astle, a researcher in neuroinformatics at the university and senior author of the study said: “Looking back, many of us feel our lives have been characterised by different phases. It turns out that brains also go through these eras,

“Understanding that the brain’s structural journey is not a question of steady progression, but rather one of a few major turning points, will help us identify when and how its wiring is vulnerable to disruption.”

The four pivotal stages of brain development

Childhood

According to the study, childhood lasts from birth until around the age of nine years old, when children enter adolesence.

Adolescence

In news that will help a lot of us excuse previous mistakes, according to the study, adolesence lasts until around the age of 32, which is when adulthood really starts to kick in.

According to the researchers, this is around the age that mental health disorders are likely to develop, too.

“This phase is the brain’s only period when its network of neurons gets more efficient”, the researchers said.

Adulthood

This is when the brain hits ‘stability’, according to the researchers and this lasts around three decades.

They say: “Change is slower during this time compared with the fireworks before, but here we see the improvements in brain efficiency flip into reverse.”

Lead author of the study, Dr Alexa Mousely says that this: “aligns with a plateau of intelligence and personality” that many of us will have witnessed or even experienced.

Early ageing

This kicks in around 66 but researchers urge that this is “not an abrupt and sudden decline” but instead a time when there are shifts in the patterns of connections in the brain.

They added: “Instead of coordinating as one whole brain, the organ becomes increasingly separated into regions that work tightly together – like band members starting their own solo projects.”

Although the study looked at healthy brains, this is also the age at which dementia and high blood pressure, which affects brain health, are starting to show.

Late ageing

This is the final stage, occuring around age 83.

There is less data than for the other groups as finding healthy brains to scan was more challenging. The brain changes are similar to early ageing, but even more pronounced.

This could help with our understanding of ageing brains

Duncan Astle, professor of neuroinformatics at the University of Cambridge and part of the team responsible for the research, said: “Many neurodevelopmental, mental health and neurological conditions are linked to the way the brain is wired. Indeed, differences in brain wiring predict difficulties with attention, language, memory, and a whole host of different behaviours.

Here’s hoping.

The Nighttime Routine Scientists, Dentists, And Longevity Experts Swear By

Posted on 09/12/2025 by Boris Clair

Longevity expert after longevity expert has said that the steps to a longer life are somewhat familiar, even boring; a good diet, enough sleep, and adequate physical activity are key.

But exciting research is happening within those. Which is why some scientists have advised on everything from when you eat your dinner to the best bedtime for better ageing.

Here, we’ll share some studies which might make your nighttime routine as conducive as possible for the best, and even most longevity-boosting, results:

Speaking to GQ, Valter Longo, director of the Longevity Institute at the University of Southern California, said that the longest-living people he’s tracked stopped eating 12 hours before breakfast the following day.

That may be, he said, because digesting food may interrupt your sleep and could mean food is stored in a different way.

So, if you’re an eight-hour sleeper, that could mean you stop eating four hours before you sleep and have breakfast right away.

Or you could stop eating three hours before sleep and wait an hour after waking to have brekkie.

Gum disease has been linked to a range of health issues, from heart conditions to tooth loss, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and even depression.

We don’t know exactly whether worse gum health comes from people having preexisting health conditions, which can make looking after your teeth harder, or if they actually cause the problems to begin with.

But speaking to HuffPost UK, Dr Jenna Chimon, a cosmetic dentist at Long Island Veneers, explained that gums are “living tissue connected directly to your bloodstream… bacteria and the toxins they release create a constant state of inflammation”.

Low-grade chronic inflammation has been linked to faster ageing and worse health outcomes.

So while again, we still don’t know exactly in which direction the gum health/all-body health connection flows, experts reccomend flossing anyway ― worst case scenario, you’ll have happier gums.

A 2024 paper listed sleep regularity as a “stronger predictor of mortality” than even sleep duration.

That means that when you go to bed might be more important than how long you sleep when it comes to your risk of death, though having either way too much or way too little sleep is also linked to an increased risk of premature death in the same paper.

Speaking to HuffPost UK previously, registered dietician and longevity specialist Melanie Murphy Richter, who studied under longevity researcher Dr Valter Longo at the University of Southern California, said, “Sleep is one of the most powerful longevity tools we have, and timing matters.

“Going to bed between 10pm and midnight and waking with the sun supports circadian rhythms, hormone balance, and cellular repair – all critical for healthy ageing,” she added.

It is true that some of us have a later chronotype, or a natural “night owl” body clock.

But a 2024 study by Stanford researchers suggested that no matter your natural preference, sleeping after 1am was linked to worse ageing outcomes.

“To age healthily, individuals should start sleeping before 1am, despite chronobiological preferences,” they wrote.

Can Resetting Your Body Clock Help Prevent Dementia?

Posted on 03/11/2025 by Boris Clair

Poor sleep, especially in midlife, has been associated with an increased risk of developing dementia.

We aren’t sure exactly why the two appear to be linked, though, and it can be very hard to unpick whether it’s an early symptom of Alzheimer’s vs an actual cause of it.

New research, however, has found that turning off a circadian (related to the sleep-wake cycle) protein in mice reduced their levels of tau protein, the accumulation of which in the brain is linked to dementia.

It also seemed to raise their nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, or NAD+, levels, associated with increased protection against dementia.

Why might your body clock be linked to dementia?

In the experiment, published in the journal Nature Ageing, scientists genetically removed a circadian protein called REV-ERBα in two groups of mice.

REV-ERBα, which helps to regulate our metabolic cycle and inflammation levels, also appears to control our NAD+ levels (the coenzyme we mentioned earlier, which seems to counteract the changes linked to dementia).

In one of the groups of mice, they deleted REV-ERBα proteins across their entire body.

In another group, the deletion only happened in astrocytes – star-shaped cells which make up a large part of the nervous system and help to support our brains.

For both groups of mice, the change led to increased NAD+ levels.

Speaking to WashU Medicine about a separate paper published in Nature Neuroscience, Dr Erik S. Musiek, who was involved in both studies, said: “There are 82 genes that have been associated with Alzheimer’s disease risk, and we found that the circadian rhythm is controlling the activity of about half of those.

“Knowing that a lot of these Alzheimer’s genes are being regulated by the circadian rhythm gives us the opportunity to find ways to identify therapeutic treatments to manipulate them and prevent the progression of the disease.”

What might this mean?

In the Nature Ageing paper, the researchers ran further studies that involved a combination of both the genetic deletion of REV-ERBα and a promising new medicine. This appeared to increase NAD+ levels.

The researchers suggest that inhibiting the protein may be more useful at certain stages of dementia, like early on when tau tangles are forming, than others.

“Our studies shed light on crucial neuroprotective mechanisms mediated by REV-ERBα in astrocytes and should help guide ongoing drug development efforts to target REV-ERBα function in AD and other neurodegenerative diseases,” the paper reads.

Over-70s With This Hobby May Be 39% Less Likely To Develop Dementia

Posted on 28/10/2025 by Boris Clair

Not only are hobbies great for your mental health, but researchers and neuroscientists increasingly think they might help to protect your brain as you age too.

Take reading, for instance.

Some research suggests that reading twice a week or more can lead to decreased cognitive impairment, while neurologist and author of How To Prevent Dementia, Dr Richard Restak, said: “Reading for pleasure is perhaps the single most effective activity you can engage in for increasing cognitive reserve”.

And now, a new study published in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry has linked listening to music to a significantly decreased rate of dementia among over-70s.

Why might listening to music decrease dementia risk?

In this study, scientists looked at 10,893 Australian participants who were aged 70 and older.

None of them had dementia when the study began.

The researchers used Cox proportional hazard regression models to work out whether participants’ levels of music engagement (be it listening to music, playing an instrument, or a combination of both) seemed to be linked to their dementia risk from year three of the sudy onwards.

They found that “always” listening to music was associated with a 39% lower risk of developing dementia among their participants, compared to those who “never,” “rarely,” or “sometimes” did.

Playing an instrument was linked to 35% less risk, meanwhile, and those who both played an instrument and listened to music appeared to be 33% less likely to develop the condition too.

Listening to, and playing, music (as well as doing both) was also linked to less cognitive impairment in this study.

These findings seemed to be stronger among participants who’d had over 16 years of education.

“These results highlight music as a potential promising, accessible strategy to help reduce cognitive impairment and delay the onset of dementia in later life,” the paper reads.

Does this definitely mean listening to music will prevent dementia?

No. It only found a link, and not a cause – we can’t say from this data that listening to music is the reason people with the hobby were less likely to develop dementia.

Study senior author Professor Joanne Ryan, however, said: “With no cure currently available for dementia, the importance of identifying strategies to help prevent or delay onset of the disease is critical.

“Evidence suggests that brain ageing is not just based on age and genetics but can be influenced by one’s own environmental and lifestyle choices.”

She continued: “Our study suggests that lifestyle-based interventions, such as listening and/or playing music can promote cognitive health.”

‘My Mum Expects Me To Care For Her In Old Age. How Do I Tell Her I Can’t?’

Posted on 26/10/2025 by Boris Clair

Over-50s own 78% of the UK’s property wealth, and the Financial Times reports that one in five “Boomers” are millionaires (largely due to soaring property prices).

But, like all modern wealth, this is a story of deep inequality. The Centre For Ageing Better says that roughly 18% of older people live in relative poverty; one in six over-55s have zero retirement savings, and 9-12% of rough sleepers are believed to be over 55.

Which means that renting long past retirement age, never mind costly nursing home care, is out of the question for many.

That might lead some, like the mother of Redditor u/Swimsmoke, to assume their children will help with their housing, care, and costs in their old age.

But, like the 6.6 million UK adults who say they wouldn’t know where to start with the commitment, the site user said they’re not sure they’re able to do it.

We asked Dr Barbara Sparacino, an adult and geriatric psychiatrist also known as The Ageing Parent Coach, how to handle the situation.

The original poster (OP) feels guilty

Writing to the forum r/AmItheAsshole (AITA), the OP said that her 63-year-old mother retired from her career 15 years ago but has been making money through a soap business since.

“She lives in a small studio and has a car but not much else to her name,” the woman added, stating that her mother is quite frivolous with her spending and likes to travel a lot.

Ahead of a hip surgery, her mum has started to think about what her future will look like and expects her 30-year-old daughter to “help”.

OP has a few reservations. Firstly, their relationship is a little fraught, and the poster says their mother delivered “bare minimum” care in their teens.

Then, guilt, money, and time come into it.

“I also feel some amount of responsibility for the woman who birthed me, a woman who had a hard and traumatising life as well – but I don’t have the resources to help in any real capacity,” they wrote.

“I don’t have money to throw at the problem, I don’t want to use all my time off for the year taking care of her, and I wouldn’t get paid if I take leave, which I won’t even qualify to take until another six months from now.”

She ended, “AITA for putting myself first here?”

Honesty is the kindest policy

Speaking to HuffPost UK, Dr Sparacino said that, “Often, these expectations are unspoken. A parent might have spent years believing you’d ‘step in one day,’ even if that was never discussed.

“When you finally say you can’t, guilt and fear can flood in, but honesty is an act of love, too.”

There is no point offering something you cannot emotionally or financially afford, she added. So, try to stay clear-sighted and precise about what you’re really able to offer – even if that doesn’t feel like much.

“Maybe you can help plan for future care, find resources, or support them emotionally, but you can’t take on full-time or financial responsibility. That’s not neglect; that’s setting a boundary rooted in realism and care,” the psychiatrist said.

She recommends saying something like, “Mum, I love you and want you to be well supported as you get older. But I can’t be your full-time caregiver. I’d like to help you make a plan so you’ll have what you need.”

Dr Sparacino added that your parent might respond with fear, anger, or sadness.

“Try to respond with calm empathy: ‘I know this is hard to hear, but I want us to plan ahead so neither of us faces this alone,’” she stated.

“You’re not rejecting your parent; you’re protecting both of you from burnout, resentment, and crisis later on. Love without boundaries leads to depletion, not devotion.

“If you’re struggling with this kind of conversation, you don’t have to figure it out alone, reach out to a professional experienced in ageing and family dynamics for guidance and support.”

Help and support:

Mind, open Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm on 0300 123 3393.
Samaritans offers a listening service which is open 24 hours a day, on 116 123 (UK and ROI – this number is FREE to call and will not appear on your phone bill).
CALM (the Campaign Against Living Miserably) offer a helpline open 5pm-midnight, 365 days a year, on 0800 58 58 58, and a webchat service.
The Mix is a free support service for people under 25. Call 0808 808 4994 or email help@themix.org.uk
Rethink Mental Illness offers practical help through its advice line which can be reached on 0808 801 0525 (Monday to Friday 10am-4pm). More info can be found on rethink.org.

This Many Sleepless Nights A Week Could Raise Dementia Risk By 40%

Posted on 15/09/2025 by Boris Clair

Scientists already think that regular poor sleep, especially in midlife, might increase your odds of developing dementia (less than five hours a night has been associated with double the risk).

And sudden changes to how long you sleep for may be linked to the condition years before diagnosis.

We aren’t exactly sure how or why sleep could have this effect on the brain. But a recent paper has added to the existing associations.

The researchers involved in the study found that those with “chronic insomnia” could face an increased dementia risk.

How much bad sleep does it take to raise my dementia risk?

In this paper, “chronic insomnia” was defined as having trouble sleeping for at least three nights a week for at least three months.

Some 2,750 participants with an average age of 70 were tracked for 5.6 years. They were all dementia-free at the start of the study, and 16% had chronic insomnia.

After conducting memory and thinking tests as well as brain scans, the scientists found that those who reported insomniac sleep patterns had more amyloid plaque formation, which is linked to dementia development.

Of those who self-reported chronic insomnia at the start of the study, 14% went on to develop insomnia, compared to 10% among those who didn’t have sleep issues.

People with insomnia were 40% more likely to develop mild cognitive impairment or dementia than those without insomnia.

Speaking to MedicalNewsToday, the study’s lead author, Dr Diego Z Carvalho, said: “In our models, the impact of insomnia on the risk of mild cognitive impairment/dementia was higher than having two cardiometabolic conditions like hypertension and diabetes, or being 3.5 years older than your actual age, which are known risk factors.”

Why might insomnia affect dementia risk?

We still can’t say for sure, but Dr Carvalho suggested this research has given him some ideas.

“We found that insomnia with reduced sleep was not only associated with Alzheimer’s disease biomarkers like amyloid, but also with poorer cerebrovascular health with greater evidence for small vessel disease as shown by white matter hyperintensities,” he said.

This matters because both the buildup of amyloid plaque proteins and poorer heart and vessel health are independently linked to increased dementia risk.

The lead researcher also recommended that more doctors include sleep tests in their regular screenings, especially with older patients.

What Is A Fart Walk And Why Is It So Good For Ageing?

Posted on 02/08/2025 by Boris Clair

The benefits of walking are pretty undeniable.

A simple stroll can “improve cardiovascular health by strengthening the heart, thereby helping circulation, lower[ing] blood pressure, [and] helping in the prevention of heart disease and stroke,” Matthew Nolan, a chief instructor at Barry’s in New York City, previously told HuffPost.

It’s even been linked to lower dementia risk.

But in a recent Instagram Reel, Dr Tim Tiutan – a physician and assistant professor – signed off on the idea of adding some, er, gas to your evening wander too.

Stitching a video in which author and creator of the hashtag #fartwalks Mairyln Smith said she and her husband go for “fart walks” after dinner to help them “age beautifully,” the doctor helped us to “look into the science of fart walks.”

Yup, ‘fart walking’ really is good for us

Walking can help to improve “intestinal motility” Dr Tiutan said, meaning it can banish both gas and constipation.

But Smith explained that “the main reason we do fart walks is because by walking… we are helping reduce our chances of developing type 2 diabetes… as you age, especially after 40, you have a bigger chance of developing type 2 diabetes.”

The National Institutes of Health puts the age at which type 2 diabetes risk rises a little younger, at 35. Diabetes UK says that walking may help us to regulate insulin better.

A 2016 study involving people with type 2 diabetes found that 10 minutes of “light” walking following each meal did a better job of managing participants’ blood sugar than walking for 30 minutes at any one time.

That’s partly why a likely gassy (thanks to the “intestinal motility”) post-dinner walk may be better for you than you might think.

Exercise of any kind prevents “large spikes in blood sugar,” the doctor agreed (it can lower your blood glucose for up to 24 hours after completion).

The practice may lower your cancer risk, too

Walking “also lowers our cancer risk,” Dr Tiutan continued.

Professor Amy Berrington, Leader of the Institute for Cancer Research [ICR]’s Clinical Cancer Epidemiology Group, said: “There is strong evidence that getting enough physical activity is linked to a lower risk of many types of cancer in both men and women.”

Cancer.gov says we should aim roughly for 150-300 minutes per week of moderately paced walking.

So perhaps I shouldn’t have been as surprised as I initally was to hear Dr Tiutan say, “I totally support fart walks.”

I Swapped 10,000 Steps A Day For 30 Minutes Of ‘Japanese Walking’ – I’ve Never Been More Active

Posted on 28/07/2025 by Boris Clair

Even though I love running and regularly go to the gym, facts are facts; I work from home and don’t love a long evening ramble. As a result, I regularly fail to get 10,000 steps a day, even though that’s been my goal for years.

All my “Jeffing,” VO2 max training, and treadmill interval sessions were not enough. I average around 6,500 steps daily, and my ongoing attempts to hit the 10k target have proven unsuccessful and inconvenient.

I tried walking after work (a non-starter), taking a lunch-break stroll (sometimes useful, but mostly impossible due to the Endless Kitchen Tasks working from home seems to highlight).

So, you can imagine how happy I was to read about “Japanese walking,” the strolling style said to be as good for us as 10,000 steps, while taking a fraction of the time.

Ironically, despite spending less time walking, my average steps are up to 8,100 a day.

What is “Japanese walking”?

Japanese walking, also known ‘the 3-3 walking workout’, is essentially the interval training of the walking world. It was developed by Professor Hiroshi Nose and Associate Professor Shizue Masuki at Shinshu University in Matsumoto, Japan.

Like “Jeffing,” which sees runners intersperse periods of high-intensity running with walking, Japanese walking packs bursts of intense stepping into a stroll.

Specifically, it asks you to walk for three minutes at a fast pace and slowly for another three minutes. Repeat this five times for a 30-minute workout.

The 2007 paper that the method’s inventors wrote found that, among middle-aged participants, those who tried “Japanese walking” left with lower blood pressure, stronger thigh muscles, and better aerobic ability than those who either did not walk or walked 8,000 steps a day at a moderate pace.

“High-intensity interval walking may protect against age-associated increases in blood pressure and decreases in thigh muscle strength and peak aerobic capacity,” the paper reads.

Dr Suzanne Wylie, a GP and medical adviser for IQdoctor, told HuffPost UK: “Even a modest 30-minute walk delivers remarkable cardiovascular benefits, reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke whilst improving blood pressure control.

“Regular movement helps maintain a healthy weight and strengthens muscles and bones – a crucial factor as we age, to help prevent osteoporosis and preserve mobility.”

A recent early walk (I usually hate them, but Japanese walking made it more bearable)

I’ve never found walking easier or more fun

Having tried the method myself, it’s safe to say I’m never going back.

Somehow, knowing the walk is going to take a maximum of half an hour means I’m much more open to the idea.

I walk more often, enjoy the time more (I think that the three-minute-on, three-minute-off approach makes the exercise go by much faster), and have even upped my step average by a couple of thousand per day.

“From a clinical perspective, any form of consistent, moderate-intensity walking, especially if it incorporates posture, breathing, or mindfulness as Japanese walking sometimes does, can further enhance cardiovascular and mental health,” Dr Wylie shared.

As a recent convert, I couldn’t agree more.