Music Limits Risk of Dementia

A new study has found that listening to or playing music can significantly protect brain health in older adults. Researchers followed more than 10,800 people aged 70 and over who had no signs of dementia at the start of the study. Participants who frequently listened to music were found to have a 39% lower risk of developing dementia, while those who regularly played an instrument had about a 35% lower risk. The benefits extended beyond dementia prevention—frequent music listeners also had stronger memory and cognitive function overall. The research controlled for factors like age, gender, and education, and suggests that simple habits such as listening to your favorite songs can make a meaningful difference in maintaining brain health. The findings offer encouraging evidence that staying musically engaged could help keep minds sharp and spirits high later in life.

Image via Good News Network

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