Experts reveal the one thing even over 50s can do to help prevent dementia

Quitting smoking, even after the age of 50, can help slow down age-related cognitive decline, according to a study published in The Lancet Healthy Longevity journal. The research, conducted by a team at UCL, analyzed data from over 9,000 individuals aged 40 and older and found that those who had quit smoking experienced a slower rate of decline in memory and verbal fluency compared to current smokers. Specifically, for those who quit smoking, memory scores declined approximately 20 percent slower, and verbal fluency scores declined about 50 percent slower over a six-year period after quitting. Experts highlight that this finding is particularly significant for middle-aged and older smokers, who are often less motivated to quit despite being disproportionately affected by smoking's harms. Scientists suggest that this evidence could provide crucial motivation for these groups to quit, and that investing in tobacco control could be a worthwhile strategy for policymakers addressing an aging popul... download the app to read more