Benefits Of Reading

It’s official. Reading is good for you according to a study published on a recent front page of The Times (15 Sept). Researchers at the University of Cambridge have said that regardless of  “what or how we read”, sitting down with a book is linked to improved health and problem solving.

The report, published in the journal Psychological Medicine, reviewed data from trials involving thousands of adults and children.

In children aged 7-11, MRI scans showed that just eight weeks of a reading programme led to increases in the volume of grey matter, while older adults who are regular readers were at a 33% lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s.

The author of the study, Professor Barbara Sahakian, said:  “Shared reading groups and book clubs appear to provide additional benefits through social interaction.”

So, what are you waiting for? The Festival offers all of this, and you can buy your books from the on-site popup Waterstones.