Reading protects cognitive function and may prevent the development of Alzheimer’s disease.

It is estimated that more than 900,000 people in Spain suffer from dementia, the most common cause of which is Alzheimer’s disease, which can be in 60-70% of cases. That’s why researchers are diving deeper into finding methods that can prevent this cognitive decline.

The Ace Alzheimer’s Center in Barcelona highlights the relevance develop a reading habit as a measure to stimulate and preserve cognitive function, and to prevent diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Beyond just plain entertainment, reading is one of the most beneficial activities for mental health as it activates the brain and strengthens neural connections.

Reading has a positive impact on several cognitive aspects, including concentration, attention, memory and visualization. These benefits act as protective shield against cognitive decline, which emphasizes the importance of forming this habit from an early age and maintaining it throughout life.

In addition to preserving cognitive skills, reading also helps reduce stressis a trigger for various neurological diseases such as headaches and helps improve sleep hygiene if practiced before bed.

Keep your brain active It is extremely important to improve its functioning and increase mental alertness. In this sense, reading is an invaluable tool because it helps increase cognitive reserve, a critical concept that explains how the brain can compensate for changes associated with age or neurodegenerative diseases, allowing people to maintain their cognitive abilities.

In addition to reading, other factors such as level of education, lifestyle and leisure activities contribute to increasing this reserve. greater protection against cognitive decline. Maintaining a habit of frequent reading for more than five years and completing at least a basic education are key elements of significant protection against these diseases.

Finally, it is important to highlight the critical role of reading in treating and improving the quality of life of people already living with Alzheimer’s disease. Read aloud It can help with language and memory function, and also significantly contribute to the preservation of cognitive functions. It is important to tailor the readings to each patient’s individual needs and interests to make the experience engaging and, in many cases, memorable.