Play chess to boost brain health

Researchers have long claimed “the brain is like a muscle. We need to exercise it”. Now more and more research is showing learning something new may be one of the best ways to strengthen your brain over the years.

In fact, playing a game of chess or similar challenging mental sports may lower the risk of developing dementia by as much as 74%, researchers at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine suggest.

Fox News reports how the data, collected over more than two decades, demonstrates that continuing participation in a range of mentally stimulating activities may protect brain health.

Some of the games described as beneficial to a healthy brain includes games such as chess and bridge, reading, learning new languages, dancing, creative writing, tai chi, cooking, drawing and even 15 minutes of daily juggling practice.

A 2004 study shows juggling for this duration over three months results in a significant increase in the brain’s grey matter, while the non-juggling control group reportedly shows no improvements in the brain.

Described as a “landmark” in understanding the brain’s ability to effectively re-create itself over time with training, the study aids researchers in uncovering that the brain benefits became almost non-existent after the participants stop regular juggling practice and playing chess.