Brain scans proved: The daily 5-minute habit that prevents Alzheimer's

A scientific review by Cambridge University researchers states that reading for pleasure reduces the risk of Alzheimer's by 33%, improves cognitive abilities, and alters brain tissue structure. The study, published in Psychological Medicine, is based on brain scans and long-term follow-up studies. The researchers recommend five minutes of reading a day as a protective habit.

A comprehensive scientific review by Cambridge University researchers, published in the journal Psychological Medicine, states that reading books for pleasure reduces the risk of developing Alzheimer's by 33%. The study is based on brain scans that revealed actual structural changes in neural tissues among readers, including greater volume in the cerebral cortex in areas of language, learning, and emotional regulation, and thickening of the white matter. A five-year follow-up study of 5,500 adults aged 55 and over found a significantly lower risk of cognitive decline among regular readers. It was also found that five minutes of reading a day reduces stress levels by up to 20%. A parallel study among 10,000 young people showed that children who read for pleasure from a young age demonstrate higher attention, memory, and academic achievements. The researchers note a worrying trend of declining reading rates among children and teenagers.