Listening to music may reduce risk of dementia

A new research suggests that listening to music on a regular basis later in life could significantly reduce the risk of dementia, Euronews writes.

The Australian research team analyzed data from more than 10,800 adults aged 70 or older, and found that those who regularly listened to music had a 39 percent lower likelihood of developing dementia compared with those who never or only occasionally listened to music.

People who always listened to music saw not only a lower incidence of dementia but also a 17 percent reduction in cognitive impairment, higher overall cognitive scores, and improved episodic memory, which is used when recalling everyday events.

Meanwhile, playing a musical instrument was also associated with brain health benefits: a 35 percent reduction in dementia risk.

However, the study authors cautioned that their findings are observational and cannot prove that listening to music actually reduces dementia risks or improves cognitive well-being.

The study comes as dementia’s toll continues to grow around the world. More than 57 million people worldwide live with the condition, including an estimated 9.8 million in Europe. That number is expected to grow in the coming decades.

According to Alzheimer’s Disease International, there are over 10 million new cases of dementia every year.