Dementia: Music could be the everyday habit that slashes your risk by nearly 40%, scientists say

It revealed that people who listened to music most days had significantly lower rates of dementia compared to those who rarely or never tuned in.

The October-published study offers hope for millions of older people looking for simple ways to protect their brain health. Thankfully, it's something many of us already love doing anyway.

The research team, led by honours student Emma Jaffa and Professor Joanne Ryan, found that playing a musical instrument wasn't far behind in its protective effects, with musicians in the study showing a 35 per cent lower risk of developing dementia.

The findings come from analysing data from the ASPirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly (ASPREE) study and its companion ASPREE Longitudinal Study of Older Persons (ALSOP).

Published in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, the research examined how different levels of musical engagement affected brain health in people aged 70 and above.

It's one of the largest studies to date looking at music's impact on dementia risk in older adults.

Researchers found that people who both listened to music and played instruments enjoyed the best protection of all - a 33 per cent lower risk of dementia and a 22 per cent reduced chance of cognitive impairment.

The benefits went beyond dementia prevention, as music lovers scored better on memory tests, too.

Those who always listened to music showed higher overall cognitive scores and better episodic memory - that's the type we use to remember everyday events.

The study also found that regular music listeners had a 17 per cent lower rate of cognitive impairment. It's brilliant news for anyone who's ever been told to turn the music down.

Emma Jaffa noted that the findings "suggest music activities may be an accessible strategy for maintaining cognitive health in older adults, though causation cannot be established".

With dementia affecting millions worldwide and no cure available, finding ways to prevent or delay the disease has become crucial.

Professor Ryan emphasised this urgency: "Evidence suggests that brain ageing is not just based on age and genetics but can be influenced by one's own environmental and lifestyle choices."

She added: "Our study suggests that lifestyle-based interventions, such as listening and/or playing music, can promote cognitive health."

The research offers a simple message - keeping music in your life as you age could help keep your mind sharp.