Cambridge review: reading for pleasure cuts dementia risk by a third

A University of Cambridge review published in Psychological Medicine finds reading for pleasure boosts mental health, empathy, and academic performance while lowering dementia risk. One study linked reading newspapers, magazines, and books to a 33% lower risk of Alzheimer's. The benefits hold regardless of what or how you read.

Bottom line — Cambridge's review ties reading to a 33% lower Alzheimer's risk and better cognitive health across life.

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• The review highlights a study of nearly 5,500 adults aged 55+ showing frequent reading was linked to significantly lower rates of cognitive decline over five years, per the University of Cambridge.
• Another study in the review, of 801 participants aged 65, found reading newspapers, magazines, and books was associated with a 33% reduction in Alzheimer's risk, according to the researchers.
• In a study of over 10,000 young people, children who started reading for pleasure early showed better attention, memory, and problem-solving skills, plus fewer mental health problems, per the review.
• A 2024 neuroscience study commissioned by The Queen's Reading Room found that five minutes of fiction can reduce stress by up to 20%, while boosting concentration and problem-solving, the researchers noted.
• Prof Barbara Sahakian, co-author, said shared reading groups and book clubs offer additional benefits, especially for older people who may be less mobile, as reported by The Telegraph.
• The review also notes that reading may reduce some negative effects of poverty on children's learning and development, according to the European Medical Journal.

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