Khaberni - Recently, a study has concluded that quitting smoking, even at an advanced age, can help slow down age-related memory issues.
According to experts, the results of the study reinforce the evidence that quitting smoking may help in preventing dementia, but they emphasized the need for further research, as reported by the British News Agency "PA Media".
9436 people
In detail, a team from University College London examined the impact of smoking on cognitive decline related to aging, where one’s ability to think, learn, and remember deteriorates with age.
The study, published in "Lancet Healthy Longevity", included data from 9436 individuals aged 40 and above from 12 countries.
Half of the participants covered by the study had quit smoking, while the other half continued to smoke.
The researchers stated there is an "established link between smoking and cognitive health," however, the long-term benefits of quitting smoking are "less clear."
An analysis of tests measuring memory and verbal fluency showed that the results of those who had quit smoking declined more slowly over the 6 years following their quitting.
For smokers who quit, the decline was 20% slower in terms of memory and 50% slower in terms of verbal fluency.
Dr. Mikaela Bloomberg, working in the Epidemiology and Health Care Management at University College London, said, "Our study suggests that quitting smoking may help in maintaining better cognitive health in the long term even when quitting occurs at age fifty or older."
She added, "We already know that quitting smoking, even at an advanced stage of life, is often followed by an improvement in physical health. It appears that this also applies to cognitive health."
