The study showed that intellectually stimulating habits have a positive impact on disease prevention
A study published in the scientific journal jama showed that habits that stimulate the mind, such as writing letters, taking lessons, playing chess, crossword puzzles or putting together puzzlescan reduce the risk of folly up to 11% in old age.
The research looked at 10,318 healthy Australians over the age of 70. The selection considered that the participants did not have cognitive impairment at the time of enrollment in the study, between March 2010 and December 2014.
The researchers analyzed data from the end of last year and looked at the risk of dementia in the ten years since the start of the study. Scientists have isolated other variables such as education, socioeconomic status and other aspects of health.
According to the research of American Medical Association, those seniors who frequently wrote letters or diaries, used computers and attended classes had an 11% lower risk of developing dementia. Those who frequently played chess, cards, crosswords and puzzles had a 9% lower risk of dementia.
“These findings suggest that engaging in adult literacy, creative art, and active and passive mental activities may help reduce dementia risk in later life,” the research says.
Researchers cite that by 2022, 55 million people suffered from dementia worldwide. It is estimated that around 10 million new cases are identified each year. Researchers indicate that adopting habits that stimulate the mind from an early age helps reduce the prevalence of the disease. In this sense, early childhood education has a significant positive impact.
The study also highlights that the adoption of small mentally stimulating habits in old age is a factor that can significantly change perspectives.
“For older people, lifestyle enrichment may be especially important, as it can help prevent dementia by changing daily routines,” the research says.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
