Remember when you were in elementary school and your teachers tried to force-feed you those books you just couldn’t find time to read? It turns out those same teachers actually knew what they were talking about; it wasn’t a torture device, it was beneficial for you. Reading is a great exercise for your brain’s health. And, it turns out, what you read is just as important as actually reading.

The Science Behind Reading

In an article by the Franklin Institute entitled “The Human Brain,” Dr. Amir Soas of Case Western Reserve University Medical School in Cleveland, advises everyone to “read, read, read” because research shows that any activity that stimulates the brain to think is beneficial, as it increases the number of dendritic branches that connect brain cells. This means that the more you make your brain think, the better it is going to work for you.

Dr. Amir Soas goes on to say that people should avoid sitting in front of their television because “your brain goes into neutral.” He recommends doing things like playing Scrabble, trying your hand at crossword puzzles, or even learning to speak a new language.

Dr. Marion Diamond, one of the world’s foremost neuroanatomists, also supports the claim, saying that whether people are young or old, everyone can continue to learn. The brain, specifically the dendrites, is constantly changing and growing. In Dr. Diamond's article “The Brain: Use it or Lose it,” he cautions everyone that dendrites increase in number with use, but decrease with disuse.

What to Read

Aside from challenging your brain by doing crosswords or playing Scrabble, choosing what type of book to read could have greater effect on brain health.

Classics: Everyone knows the diction of older books can prove to be difficult, but training your brain to decipher complex text can give your brain a more intense “workout.”

History/Culture/Religion: Any book on something unknown is a great way to promote dendrite growth.

Poetry: Like classics, understanding poetry takes a special set of skills. Your brain will definitely be challenged by the literary devices imbedded in the lines.

Travel: Reading travel books and imagining your vacation to different places stimulates the brain to think in a different way.

You don’t necessarily have to read these certain genres. If you’re an avid classics reader, try picking up something a little more light-hearted. If you love fiction, try some nonfiction to spice it up. The point is to try something new because it causes your brain to think in a different way, thus promoting dendrite growth.

And there’s some great news for you Internet-savvy ladies out there. Research conducted by a University of California Los Angeles team has found that searching the web stimulates the brain, and it might even help ward off age-related psychological changes. In the words of Dr. Amir Soas, ladies, read, read, read!

EndlessBeauty.com frequently reviews books related to health and beauty, so be sure to check our Daily Dose section on Fridays for our latest finds!

Catherine Saunders is a staff writer and researcher at EndlessBeauty.com