The habit of reading books for pleasure helps preserve brain health, improves memory, and significantly reduces the risk of dementia. This conclusion was reached by scientists from the University of Cambridge after conducting a large-scale review of studies, according to infohub.kz.
It turns out that fiction works as an effective remedy against everyday stress. Just five minutes of immersion in a plot helps a person relax, improves concentration, and makes them feel less lonely. At the same time, researchers emphasize that the genre and format of the work are not of key importance — the main thing is to enjoy the process.
For older people, regular reading becomes a reliable protection against age-related memory impairment and dementia. One study showed that in elderly lovers of books and magazines, the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease is reduced by a third. Book clubs provide additional benefits — they bring people together and help maintain communication, which is extremely important in old age.
Brain scans confirm that in reading enthusiasts, neural connections are strengthened and the volume of areas responsible for learning, memory, and emotion management increases. A passion for books from early childhood helps children learn better and suffer less from mental problems. Experts advise parents to engage children in reading through graphic novels or comics if classic texts seem too boring to them.