Reading for pleasure may offer benefits beyond entertainment, with new research linking the activity to better brain health, stronger cognitive abilities and a potentially lower risk of dementia.
A review by researchers at the University of Cambridge found that reading was associated across multiple studies with improved attention and memory, fewer mental health problems and healthier lifestyles. The findings suggest that reading for enjoyment could support wellbeing throughout a person’s life, from childhood into older age.
“Reading is a great way to support our brain health, develop important cognitive skills and boost our wellbeing,” said Barbara Sahakian, professor at Cambridge and the review’s corresponding author.
“It’s something we ought to be encouraging from an early age, given the increasing evidence of its benefits, particularly to children, but really, it’s never too late to start, and it can bring benefits throughout our lives and into old age,” she said.
The findings come as recreational reading among children and teenagers has declined in several countries. The latest PISA 2025 assessment, which measures the reading, mathematics and science skills of 15-year-old students, reported a broad decline in reading performance worldwide. Researchers at the OECD have linked the trend to factors including less recreational reading and increasing digital distractions.
In the UK, a recent National Literacy Trust report found that only 36 per cent of children and young people aged eight to 18 said they enjoyed reading in their free time. That compares with 58.6 per cent in 2016.
Christelle Langley, a co-author of the Cambridge review, said efforts should be made to help children find reading material that genuinely interests them.
She suggested that books based on television programmes or games could provide an accessible introduction to reading. Comics and graphic novels could also encourage children who may find traditional novels intimidating or less appealing.
The benefits identified in the review extend to adults. Researchers found evidence linking leisure reading with reduced stress, greater relaxation and increased tolerance of different perspectives.
Older adults may benefit particularly from activities that stimulate the brain. Such activities have been associated with slower cognitive decline and a lower risk of dementia.
The researchers also found that participation in reading groups and book clubs could provide additional benefits. Social interaction may reduce feelings of isolation and strengthen connections with others, factors that are important for healthy ageing.
Sahakian said reading groups could be particularly useful for older people who have limited mobility because they provide an opportunity for social engagement without requiring strenuous physical activity.
The researchers described reading as an accessible and relatively low-cost way of supporting brain health across the lifespan. However, they said the precise mechanisms behind its effects are not yet fully understood and called for more research.
They suggested that schools, libraries, book clubs and community programmes could play a role in encouraging reading habits and supporting cognitive development and mental wellbeing.
