There's plenty of research to suggest the cardiovascular exercise, like running, or any other cardio activity, improves your heart health, help you manage your blood pressure and lots of other health benefits. But in the past few years, research has taken benefits of cardio exercise to the next level. It suggests that performing cardiovascular exercise might actually make you smarter.

In studies performed on both men and women, at multiple universities across the US, show that exercise improves brain performance. The first study at Purdue University on 30 women, they showed 17 improvement in their fitness levels, and a 12%-68% improvement in their ability to process information and make sound decisions. Over the years, studies have been performed with a whole variety of subjects from young adults to senior citizens, with intellectual activities ranging from simple to complex, all confirming that cardio exercises improves brain functions.

In a 2004 study at University of Illinois, UC showed that senior citizens who regularly exercised showed faster reaction times and better accuracy that sedentary senior citizens.

So, now you know - its easy to get smart. Science shows that running for 30 minutes a session, 3 times a week will not just improve your health, but help your brain perform better.