Surprising Study Confirms: Helping Others Slows Brain Aging

Brain Aging

Surprising Study Confirms: Helping Others Slows Brain Aging

A recent scientific study has revealed that dedicating a few hours a week to helping others can significantly contribute to slowing brain aging and preserving cognitive abilities as we get older, even without a substantial time commitment or formal volunteer activity, according to a report published on the science website ScienceDaily.

The study, conducted by researchers from the University of Texas at Austin in collaboration with the University of Massachusetts Boston, followed more than 30,000 American adults for nearly 20 years. It concluded that individuals who regularly helped others outside their families experienced a slower decline in cognitive functions compared to those who did not.

A Few Hours, Long-Lasting Impact

According to the study's findings, published in the journal Social Science & Medicine, spending two to four hours a week helping others was associated with a 15% to 20% reduction in the rate of cognitive decline. Interestingly, the benefits weren't temporary; rather, they accumulated over the years for those who continued this behavior regularly.

In this context, Sai-Huang Han, an assistant professor of human development and family sciences at the University of Texas and the study's lead author, said, "The cognitive impact of helping others isn't just a fleeting psychological improvement; it appears as a clear cumulative benefit with continued giving."

The study was unique in that it compared structured volunteering, such as working for organizations and institutions, with informal assistance, such as supporting neighbors, relatives, or friends, driving someone to a medical appointment, childcare, or helping with simple daily tasks.

 The results showed that both types of volunteering provided similar benefits to brain health, refuting the common belief that only formal volunteering has a positive impact. Han explained, "Informal assistance is often undervalued, but it has proven to have a similar cognitive effect to structured volunteering."

National Data Strengthens Findings

Researchers relied on data from the U.S. Health and Retirement Study, a large national database that has included individuals over the age of 51 since 1998. The study also considered several factors that can influence cognitive health, such as education level, economic status, and physical and mental health. 

After adjusting for these factors, the association between providing assistance and a slower rate of cognitive decline remained, while the results showed that complete withdrawal from helping others was associated with a greater decline in mental abilities.

Implications for Public Health and Aging

Furthermore, the researchers believe these findings strongly support the inclusion of volunteering and social interaction as part of public health strategies, especially given the increasing number of elderly people and the rising risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

The study also referenced previous research by the same team showing that volunteering helps reduce the effects of chronic stress and inflammation in the body, 

biological factors known to be linked to cognitive decline. Han concluded by saying that "many older people, even those with health problems, are still able to make valuable contributions to those around them, and at the same time are among the groups that can reap real cognitive benefits from this giving."