Why Adult Education Matters for Brain Health
As we get older, many of us worry about staying mentally sharp. You’ve probably heard that puzzles, sudoku, or even video games can help keep your brain fit.
But what about continuing to learn new things, like taking a cooking class or learning a new language?
Good news: A study from Japan suggests that adults who keep learning new things might be less likely to develop memory problems as they age.
The Study’s Findings
Researchers from Tohoku University in Japan studied data from a large group of British people to find out if adult education could help protect against brain decline and diseases like dementia.
They looked at health information and the mental performance of around 282,421 volunteers, aged 40 to 69.
This data came from a huge health project in the UK called the UK Biobank, which has been collecting medical information from volunteers since 2006.
The researchers paid attention to two things: first, whether the volunteers were taking any adult education classes, and second, their scores on various mental tests.
These tests measured different types of intelligence and reaction times. After watching these volunteers for seven years, only 1.1% of them developed dementia.
The exciting part? The people who were taking adult education classes had a 19% lower risk of developing dementia compared to those who weren’t in any classes.
What’s more, the positive effects seemed to apply to everyone, regardless of their background or whether they had other health issues like diabetes or heart disease.
However, the study didn’t find that adult education helped with some other mental skills like spatial memory or reaction time.
What’s Next: More Research Needed
The researchers said their findings don’t prove for certain that taking adult education classes prevents memory loss. Their study only shows a link between the two.
They suggest that future research should be done to prove that learning new skills directly helps keep the brain healthy.
For instance, they recommend doing a special type of study where people are randomly assigned to either take a class or do some other social activity that doesn’t involve learning.
This would help scientists understand whether it’s specifically the learning or just being socially active that helps protect the brain.
Conclusion: Keep Learning, It Can’t Hurt!
While more studies are needed to prove the benefits, the message is promising.
If you’re thinking about taking up a new hobby, learning a language, or even going back to school, it might be about more than just personal growth.
It could be a ticket to keeping your brain young. Until scientists figure out all the details, it certainly won’t hurt to enroll in that painting class you’ve been eyeing or to start learning how to play a musical instrument. You might be doing your future self a big favor.
If you care about brain health, please read studies about how the Mediterranean diet could protect your brain health, and Omega-3 fats and carotenoid supplements could improve memory.
For more information about brain health, please see recent studies about antioxidants that could help reduce dementia risk, and higher magnesium intake could help benefit brain health.
The study was published in Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience.
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