According to statistics, around 30 million people worldwide suffer from Alzheimer’s disease. This neurodegenerative condition, which is the most common form of dementia, is typically diagnosed in individuals aged 65 and older.
However, medical professionals believe that the risk of developing this disease can be reduced. Many people manage to avoid it by regularly engaging in simple yet highly beneficial activities, such as reading, knitting, and playing chess.
Research has shown that reading decreases the risk of developing Alzheimer’s by 32 percent, knitting by 30 percent, and playing chess by 9 percent.
Read!
Neurologists assert that one of the most beneficial habits for keeping the brain young is reading fiction. It activates cognitive functions and helps delay or even prevent Alzheimer’s disease.
“Fiction can evoke stronger emotions and imagery in addition to new facts and ideas gained from reading popular science books,” noted Zaldy Tan, a professor of neurology and medicine at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in the U.S. However, he believes that the consistency of reading and the desire to discover something new in books are more important than the genre of literature.
Reading acts as a kind of workout for the brain. It fosters the creation of neural connections and slows down memory loss. Individuals who read for at least 15-30 minutes a day can reduce their risk of developing Alzheimer’s by 32 percent.
In 2022, a team of researchers from the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology (U.S.) found a link between leisure reading and the development of cognitive abilities. The study involved participants aged 60 to 79 who read books for 90 minutes a day, five days a week. The experiment lasted for eight weeks. Researchers also identified a group of participants who, instead of reading, solved word puzzles during the same period. At the end of the study, those who read showed significantly greater improvements in working and episodic memory compared to those who solved puzzles.
Knitting and Playing Board Games!
Interestingly, according to neurobiologists, solving puzzles, as well as knitting and playing chess, can also help prevent cognitive decline.
A study conducted by researchers at the renowned Mayo Clinic (U.S.) showed that knitting stimulates cognitive functions, particularly slowing down memory loss. This activity requires individuals to pay close attention to patterns, count stitches, coordinate hand movements, and utilize fine motor skills, as well as concentration and memory.
Experts at the clinic assert that knitting is primarily a mental exercise. It challenges the brain, slowing down dementia and improving problem-solving skills, as reported by the Daily Mail.
According to another study published in 2023 in the Journal of the American Medical Association, regular chess playing (or engaging in other board games) reduces the risk of developing Alzheimer’s by nine percent. Additionally, one should not underestimate the importance of physical activity, which is also beneficial for brain health. Activities such as morning jogging or walking, as well as gardening, are particularly helpful.