From bedtime stories to book clubs: Reading protects your brain for life
Reading for pleasure isn't just enjoyable, new research suggests it could also boost brain health and lower dementia risk.
Reading, whether from physical books or electronic devices, appears to offer significant health benefits regardless of the content or method. A recent review by researchers at Cambridge University found that reading consistently improves attention and memory, reduces mental health issues, and promotes healthier lifestyles. Professor Barbara Sahakian, the review’s co-author, emphasized that reading is an excellent way to support brain health, develop critical cognitive skills, and boost overall well-being.
Encouraging reading from a young age is particularly important, as declining reading rates among children and pupils across Europe and reduced recreational reading have contributed to a global decline in reading performance, particularly among 15-year-olds in PISA 2025 assessments. In the UK, the National Literacy Trust reported a decrease in the percentage of 8- to 18-year-olds who enjoy reading in their free time from 58.6% in 2016 to 36% in recent years.
To engage young readers, it is crucial to find subjects that genuinely interest them, including comics and graphic novels, which may be less intimidating than traditional novels. While the benefits of reading are evident for all ages, older adults can especially reap the rewards through leisure activities that stimulate the brain, which have been linked to slower cognitive decline and a reduced risk of dementia.
Participating in reading groups or book clubs offers additional advantages, including reduced feelings of isolation and increased social connections, which can further lower the risk of dementia. As mental health concerns continue to rise globally, researchers are exploring lifestyle factors that can help combat this issue, and reading is considered an accessible and low-cost protective measure applicable throughout one’s life.
Although the exact mechanisms through which reading produces these positive effects are not fully understood, the review suggests that reading interventions could serve as a practical strategy for enhancing brain health, cognitive development, and overall well-being. Policies that promote early reading habits, whether through schools, libraries, or community initiatives, hold the potential to mitigate some adverse effects of poverty on brain development and learning trajectories, fostering long-term academic and developmental benefits.
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