For decades, marriage has been linked to a range of health benefits – from lower mortality to improved mental well-being.
Being in a stable relationship was considered a cornerstone of both emotional and physical health.
In fact, earlier research has shown that married individuals are less likely to suffer from depression or heart disease.
It’s been widely accepted that marriage should also protect the brain from age-related decline.
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But now, an extensive new study tracking over 24,000 adults for 18 years is challenging that narrative.
And what it suggests may surprise even the most devoted romantics.
A lifestyle with hidden benefits
Researchers analyzed participants between the ages of 50 and 104, conducting yearly cognitive tests and clinical evaluations.
Over time, a clear and unexpected pattern emerged: those who weren’t married – whether divorced, widowed, or never married – had significantly lower risks of developing dementia.
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In fact, their risk was at least 50 percent lower than their married peers.
Even more surprisingly, people who had never been married had the lowest risk of all, although the statistical difference between the various unmarried groups was minimal.
The research team adjusted for other factors like age, gender, race, education, and smoking habits.
Yet no matter how they sliced the data, the same conclusion kept appearing: Unmarried people had better brain health outcomes.
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Why single life might be protective
At first glance, it seems counterintuitive. But researchers have a few possible explanations.
Single people, especially those who’ve never married, tend to maintain broader and more active social networks.
They are more likely to engage with friends and neighbors and are often more proactive about healthy lifestyle habits.
On the other hand, married individuals might become more socially isolated and less engaged in outside relationships, which could negatively impact cognitive resilience over time.
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So maybe it’s not the marital status itself, but the quality and diversity of social connections that play a key role in protecting the brain.
This article is based on information from The Sun.
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