- A study conducted in Japan suggests that regularly cooking meals from scratch at home could significantly reduce the risk of dementia in older people.
- Researchers found that meal preparation serves as both physical activity and cognitive stimulation, leading to an overall 30 per cent reduction in dementia risk.
- The benefits were particularly notable for novice cooks, who experienced a 70 per cent lower risk of dementia, possibly because cooking presents a greater cognitive challenge for them.
- The six-year study, published in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, tracked the cognitive health of nearly 11,000 individuals aged 65 and over.
- Experts emphasise that cooking is a complex activity involving planning, organisation, and memory, making it a valuable tool for dementia prevention and promoting overall health.
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