Reading for Pleasure Associated with Lower Risk of Cognitive Decline and Dementia

Reading for pleasure could bring significant benefits to the brain, including in later life. An analysis conducted by researchers at Cambridge, published in the journal Psychological Medicine, shows that this habit is associated with a lower risk of cognitive decline and dementia.

The researchers did not carry out a new experiment, but instead reviewed existing evidence — surveys, long-term studies, and brain imaging research — to identify the areas in which the link between reading and brain function is most strongly supported.

What the reviewed studies show

One of the studies included in the analysis followed adults aged over 64 and found that those who read weekly had a lower risk of cognitive decline. This association persisted over the following decade, regardless of participants' level of education. Other research included in the analysis linked regular reading in old age to a lower risk of dementia.

Even 30 minutes a week can make a difference

A survey of more than 4,000 adults showed that people who read even just 30 minutes a week more frequently reported that they understood the feelings of those around them. Over a third of participants said that reading was their preferred method of managing stress.

Another study examined approximately 2,000 people taking part in a group reading programme. Nearly three quarters of them reported that reading had improved their mental health, and many participants said they felt more connected to others.

Benefits visible from adolescence

The effects of reading for pleasure are not confined to later life. The analysis shows that teenagers who began reading for pleasure at an early age had better attention and fewer mental health problems. Differences were also observed in the areas of the brain involved in language and emotional regulation.

Association, not proof of causation

The authors of the analysis caution that the findings show an association, rather than a direct causal relationship between reading and a lower risk of cognitive decline or dementia. People who read may also have other characteristics that influence outcomes, such as a higher level of education, a more active social life, or other healthy habits.

It also remains unclear whether people who only begin reading in later life experience the same benefits. The analysis further highlights a concerning trend: reading for pleasure is declining amongst children and adolescents.