Cambridge Study Links Reading Books to Better Health

Reading books for pleasure is linked to improved cognitive abilities, better mental health and a lower risk of dementia, according to researchers at the University of Cambridge in a review published in the journal Psychological Medicine.

The researchers cite findings from the 2024 and 2025 annual UK literacy surveys, which show a continuing decline in how often children and teenagers read, particularly among boys aged 11 to 16.

At the same time, research involving more than 10,000 teenagers, led by Professor Barbara Sahakian of the University of Cambridge’s Department of Psychiatry and published in the same journal, found that people who started reading early in life later showed benefits including better attention and memory, stronger academic performance, fewer mental health problems and healthier lifestyles.

Those healthier habits included getting more sleep and spending less time in front of screens.

When researchers examined participants’ brain scans, they also found that those who had started reading for pleasure at a young age had slightly greater brain surface area and volume, including in regions that play an important role in cognitive functions.

Although reading has a clear connection with improved literacy skills, studies included in the review suggest that its benefits may extend to mathematical performance. Reading and mathematics rely on some similar cognitive processes, including language skills, memory and executive functions.

Research has also identified benefits for adults, particularly in relation to wellbeing. These include reduced stress, better relaxation, greater empathy and a stronger understanding of other people.

A 2024 study found that just five minutes of reading fiction could reduce stress by up to 20%, while also improving concentration and problem-solving skills and helping readers feel less lonely.

Brain-stimulating leisure activities, particularly reading, have also been associated with slower cognitive decline and a lower risk of dementia among older adults.

A 2006 study published in Neurology, involving almost 5,500 adults aged 55 and over, found that people who frequently took part in activities such as reading had significantly lower rates of cognitive decline during the five-year follow-up period.

Another study published in JAMA, involving 801 participants aged 65, found that reading newspapers, magazines and books was associated with a 33% reduction in the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

While most studies have identified associations rather than proving cause and effect, researchers say evidence of a causal relationship is now emerging.

Studies have found structural changes in the brain following interventions focused on reading. Brain-imaging research has also linked reading with differences in brain structure, including greater volume and changes in areas of the cerebral cortex involved in language, learning, emotional regulation and executive control. Researchers have also identified greater cortical thickness in key language-related brain regions.

The researchers say the benefits do not necessarily depend on what people read or how they read. However, reading with other people may provide additional benefits, whether through a book club or a parent reading with their children.

The research was conducted in collaboration with the UK charity The Queen’s Reading Room.

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