What if a simple daily gesture could help keep your brain young?
A recent study suggests that surfing the Internet could do much more than inform or entertain you: it could halve your risk of dementia.
An exciting prospect, at a time when neurodegenerative diseases are on the rise as the population ages.
According to the World Health Organization, more than 55 million people worldwide currently suffer from dementia.
Every year, almost 10 million new cases are diagnosed. Faced with this reality, prevention is becoming a public health issue.
And a well-established digital habit could be part of the solution.
A large-scale study on the effects of the Web on the over-50s
Published in May 2023 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, this study* involved more than 18,000 adults aged 50 to 65, all in good cognitive health at the outset.
They were followed for eight years, with a clear objective: to measure the impact of Internet use on their brain function.
The results speak for themselves: people who used the Internet regularly from the start of the study had half the risk of developing dementia than those who did not.
The greatest difference was observed among users who logged on for at least two hours a day.
Conversely, the absence of digital use was accompanied by a higher risk of cognitive decline.
Why the Internet protects your brain
Surfing the Internet is far from being a passive activity.
Reading articles, searching for information, managing e-mails or taking part in online exchanges mobilizes numerous brain functions: memory, selective attention, reasoning, motor coordination...
In other words, every digital action is a mental exercise in its own right. This kind of regular stimulation promotes what is known as cognitive reserve, a key concept in neurological prevention.
This is the brain's ability to compensate for the effects of aging or pathological damage by using alternative neural circuits.
Over time, this daily cerebral gymnastics helps maintain neuronal plasticity - the brain's capacity to create and strengthen connections - a protective factor against cognitive decline.
Striking a balance: benefits without excesses
Beware, however: more screen time does not always mean more benefits.
The study also points out that prolonged and repeated sessions, without interruption, could have the opposite effect: sedentariness, mental fatigue, sleepdisorders...
So it's important to take it in moderation: between 1 and 2 hours a day seems sufficient to enjoy the positive cognitive effects, while maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
The ideal is tointegrate the Internet as a stimulating tool into a rich and varied daily routine.
Understanding the different faces of dementia
To better understand the issues at stake, it's important to remember that dementia is not a single disease. It is an umbrella term for a number of neurodegenerative pathologies affecting different areas of the brain. The most common include :
- Alzheimer's disease, which primarily affects memory and executive functions.
- Parkinson's disease, often associated with both motor and cognitive disorders.
- Vascular dementia, linked to repeated strokes.
- Lewy body dementia, characterized by memory impairment, hallucinations and muscular rigidity.
Each of these conditions progresses slowly, impacting higher cognitive functions such as language, reasoning, orientation and autonomy.
Hence the importance of preventive techniques to maintain brain vitality for as long as possible.
Internet use: a new avenue for cognitive prevention
This study adds an important piece to the prevention puzzle.
It suggests that simple everyday gestures - such as getting information online, checking e-mail, searching for a recipe, interacting on networks or subscribing to a newsletter - can play an active role in maintaining your cognitive abilities.
Contrary to popular belief, technology doesn't have to be an isolating factor for senior citizens. Quite the contrary: it can become a tool for independence, stimulation and social interaction, provided it is properly supervised.
How can you integrate this digital habit in a beneficial way?
If you're not familiar with the Internet, it's never too late to learn. Many town halls, media libraries and local associations offer introductory workshops.
Once you feel comfortable, you can gradually integrate this activity into your daily life.
Here are a few ideas for simple, stimulating uses:
- Reading the press or thematic blogs.
- Search for answers to everyday questions.
- Watch educational or cultural videos.
- Exchange ideas by e-mail or on forums.
- Explore digital leisure activities (cooking, gardening, genealogy, etc.).
The key is to make the practice a pleasure, without obligation or excess.
An easy-to-adopt longevity strategy
In a world where effective preventive solutions are often complex or costly, this study offers an encouraging message.
It shows that it is possible to take concrete action on brain health without having to change your lifestyle.
Combining regular digital activity with the other pillars of prevention - a balanced diet, physical activity and an active social life - can form a coherent strategy for aging well with your brain.
You can take action today to protect your memory and cognitive functions.
By integrating the Internet into your daily routine in a balanced way, you naturally stimulate your brain and help reduce the risk of dementia.
A simple, accessible gesture, now backed by solid scientific data.
*Internet Use and Dementia Risk Study
Read also: Adaptation: the key to living longer