Reading for pleasure linked to lower risk of cognitive decline
Reading for pleasure is associated with better mental health, higher levels of empathy and a lower risk of dementia, according to a review by researchers led by specialists from the University of Cambridge. As Asharq Al-Awsat reports, the review was published in the journal Psychological Medicine. Its authors concluded that reading for pleasure may be beneficial regardless of what and how people read.
Findings for children and young people
A study involving more than 10,000 young people found that those who began reading for their own enjoyment at an early age had better scores in attention, memory and executive function. They also had higher academic achievement, fewer mental health problems and healthier habits, including more sleep and less screen time.
Reading is associated with literacy development and may also be linked to achievement in mathematics. The authors explain this by noting that reading and mathematics involve similar cognitive processes, including language skills, memory and executive functions.
Benefits in adulthood
Surveys of adults also indicate a link between reading and reduced stress, better relaxation, empathy and a more tolerant attitude toward other views. For 38% of surveyed adults, books became the main way to unwind. In another survey, 35% of respondents chose books as a source of comfort, compared with 31% for wine and 10% for a hot bath.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
A neuroscience study commissioned by The Queen's Reading Room in 2024 found that five minutes of reading fiction can reduce stress by up to 20%. It also linked such reading to better concentration, problem-solving skills and a lower sense of loneliness.
Link to cognitive health
For older people, intellectually stimulating activities, including reading, are associated with slower cognitive decline and a lower risk of dementia. In a study of nearly 5,500 people aged 55 and older, those who frequently read and engaged in other similar activities were less likely to experience cognitive impairment during five years of follow-up. Another study linked reading newspapers, magazines and books to a 33% reduction in the risk of Alzheimer's disease.
Brain imaging studies have also identified a link between reading and differences in brain structure, as well as stronger white matter connections that support language processing. The review's authors noted that shared reading — in a book club or when parents read to children — may provide additional benefits.
