Regular book reading increases life expectancy by almost two years and slows down age-related cognitive decline. Scientists have come to these conclusions based on many years of research on the effects of reading on brain health and overall longevity.

The key data was obtained during a 12-year study by the Yale School of Public Health. Scientists observed 3,635 adults over the age of 50 and found that people who regularly read books lived on average 23 months longer than those who did not read at all. This effect persisted even taking into account the level of education, income, health status, and cognitive abilities.

Experts note that reading affects not only life expectancy, but also its quality. According to psychotherapist Zoey Shaw, immersion in a book often causes a state similar to meditation.

Researchers associate the benefits of reading with its socio-emotional effect. Raymond Mar, a professor of psychology at York University, notes that fiction partially compensates for the lack of social contacts.

“Social connections are incredibly important for healthy aging,” he stressed, adding that reading allows you to “mentally train relationships and emotions,” even when alone.

Loneliness is now considered a serious risk factor for premature death, comparable to smoking and obesity. Books, according to scientists, help to reduce this risk.

Reading is also recognized as an effective way to reduce stress, one of the key factors in accelerated aging. Experts explain that calm concentration while reading helps to stabilize the nervous system and reduce the level of inflammatory processes in the body.

Separate studies show that regular reading slows down the deterioration of memory and cognitive functions, even in people with signs of Alzheimer’s disease. At the same time, experts emphasize that reading does not stop dementia, but it helps the brain to stay active longer due to the so-called cognitive reserve.

My commentary

It took a lot of research, when I’ve been talking about it from my youth! Only an intense load on the brain will save people from senile dementia! Which begins in childhood! And these “researchers” are right about one more thing – A good, real book DRAWS ME INTO ITS WORLD, I often disconnect from the outside world and completely “go away” into the world of reading. It’s true! Sometimes it happened that I got a phone call while I was reading. And every time, the same question was asked: Did we wake you up? Because I was responding in a kind of drowsy, slow-motion way, it took time for my consciousness to return to THIS WORLD from the BOOK WORLD again.In general, the “discovery” (for me) is decades late, but there are certain finds.

25 I 2026