Study: Reading books regularly may curb cognitive decline, slow brain aging

Reading for pleasure is linked to lower stress, greater empathy and reduced dementia risk, according to a new editorial reported by StudyFinds, drawing on research from the University of Cambridge and The Queen’s Reading Room. One 2015 survey found six minutes of reading cut stress levels by 68%.

Published in Psychological Medicine, the review found older adults who read regularly faced up to 35% lower dementia risk, while early childhood reading was tied to better attention and fewer mental health problems in adolescence. However, reading among children and teens, especially boys aged 11 to 16, is declining sharply. Researchers caution the findings show association, not proven causation.