The research examined survey responses over a decade from 32,000 adults aged 50 and older across 14 European countries.
A new study led by UCL researchers suggests that smoking could be one of the most significant lifestyle factors influencing the rate of cognitive decline as we age.
The study, published in Nature Communications, analyzed data from 32,000 adults aged 50 or over from 14 European countries who responded to surveys over 10 years.
The researchers investigated how rates of cognitive decline might differ among cognitively-healthy older adults with different combinations of health-related behaviors, including smoking, physical activity, alcohol consumption, and social contact.
Findings on Cognitive Decline
Cognitive function was assessed according to participants’ performance in memory and verbal fluency tests. Participants were grouped into lifestyles based on whether they smoked or not, whether they did both moderate and vigorous physical activity at least once per week, whether they saw friends and family at least weekly, and whether they drank more or the same/less than two alcoholic drinks per day (men) or one drink per day (women).
They found that cognitive decline was faster for lifestyles that included smoking, while cognitive decline was generally similar for all non-smoking lifestyles. Smoking lifestyles had cognitive scores that declined up to 85% more over 10 years than non-smoking lifestyles.
The exception was smokers who had a healthy lifestyle in all other areas – that is, they did regular exercise, drank alcohol in moderation, and socialized regularly. This group had a rate of cognitive decline similar to non-smokers.
Importance of Non-Smoking and Healthy Behaviors
Lead author Dr. Mikaela Bloomberg (UCL Behavioural Science & Health) said: “Our study is observational so cannot definitively establish cause and effect, but it suggests smoking might be a particularly important factor influencing the rate of cognitive aging.
“Previous evidence suggests individuals who engage in more healthy behaviors have slower cognitive decline; however, it was unclear whether all behaviors contributed equally to cognitive decline, or if there were specific behaviours driving these results.
“Our findings suggest that among the healthy behaviors we examined, not smoking may be among the most important in terms of maintaining cognitive function.
“For people who aren’t able to stop smoking, our results suggest that engaging in other healthy behaviors such as regular exercise, moderate alcohol consumption, and being socially active may help offset adverse cognitive effects associated with smoking.”
The researchers accounted for a range of factors that might have influenced the findings, including age, gender, country, education, wealth, and chronic conditions.
Reference: “Healthy lifestyle and cognitive decline in middle-aged and older adults residing in 14 European countries” by Mikaela Bloomberg, Graciela Muniz-Terrera, Laura Brocklebank and Andrew Steptoe, 27 June 2024, Nature Communications.
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49262-5
The team used data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) and the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). ELSA is funded by the National Institute on Aging and by UK Government departments coordinated by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). SHARE receives funding from the European Union. Study authors received funding from the Economic and Social Research Council.
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149 Comments
Being Liberal is a sign of cognitive impairment, too.
Let me guess you’ve been smoking a lot in your 95. Because that’s the only thing that could explain this level of cognitive decline.
I stopped smoking 50 years ago AND alcohol 5 years ago.I
Distinctly felt the clarity of thought and well being that happened, particularly alcohol
I m now 86 and follow a VERY well planned lifestyle.
Good diet and exercise plus regular Medical check ups
Only thing I take us statin as a precaution.
Good for you! Hope you stay healthy.
Stating are horrible go do some research on them
Pug you are an imbecile hmg/coA red inhibitor forever
Actually, I think you’re the one that needs to go and do some real research. Clearly, reading all these ill considered articles from so-called health groups have left you very confused. Hence your somewhat idiotic comment.
Statins are proved to be beneficial to users under certain circumstances.
How odd that the 4 people in my circle that developed dementia and Alzheimer’s were non smokers and only 1 drank wine on a regular basis …
I’m happy for your changes etc however new evidence is showing that statins actually create less cholesterol production which can cause mental decline and or create mental confusion and quite a few other malodies. You might start studying that. All functional medicine doctors are against it. Lots out there about it. Seems like you might enjoy the information.
Keep up the great work! So happy to know you are doing well!
Cognitive decline?
Who’s going to understand you any better than yourself?
No one….
You don’t presume your ability.
Your thoughts are merely processed due to what you are doing, when you are doing and how your feeling ☺️…
Wait… People still smoke??
Oh, yeah. And you should see 20 to 30 somethings. They smoke a lot. Pot, tobacco. I don’t know why. Maybe they think it looks cool? Maybe they’re addicted?
What are you guys so overheated about?
Science is a thing. Not liberal, not conservative. It’s science.
LOL! Yes, I there’s some very touch people trying to pretend their life styles are fine.
Seeing the world through the lens of politics i.e. conservative vs liberal is a definitive sign of cognitive impairment.
Yes. True. The time to resolve problems and stop looking for enemies has arrived. You are either part of the search for solutions, or part of the problem of stagnation.
Ha-ha! Wisdom has spoken!
Well said.
Correct; being liberal is unhealthy & a menace to society.
You’re on your way down with daft comments like that!
Lao Tzu says never argue with a fool. If you agree that is good advice then you know don’t argue with woke progressives.
Go back to back water Ohio.
How so?
Hope your just trying to be funny .
If not , you’re a moron .
You’re full of beans.
I protest, listened to feeble debate on trumps part last night.
Angry OLD nan
Geeze, you have to drag your distaste for liberals into everything? Can’t you Americans please learn to get along? The rest of the world is watching, and is extremely worried. Can’t you just take up a hobby, or learn a new language? Just do something that makes you happier, more inclined to begin talking thoughtfully to each other, and less inclined to shout at imagined enemies.
Who cares if the rest of the world is watching… maybe you need to get a conservative capitalist leader…
From an American- thank you for that but it is best to just ignore so they grow bored and go away
Liberalism is now an existential threat to western civilization. Trump is a miracle. Such a blessing
No kidding, John. Too many Americans think in the team mentality. It’s competition to a fault. Always fighting against something. Ironically, however we are for the first time fighting legitimately to prevent a wannabe dictator and his minions from destroying our democracy this November. America is at a crossroads—-but I can’t believe there are more anti-democracy people than true patriots who live this country and wish to preserve it and our rule of law and justice. Trump needs to go live with his dictator idols and leave Americans alone. No more of his crap!!
Yes, John! I am an American who agrees with you wholeheartedly. When it comes down to it, there is more that binds is together than divides us. Finding that common ground will be the key.
It all started a few gens back when they spared the rod and spoiled the now politically correct grown up children.
Nobody grew up with a pecking order to grow into. So now they can’t handle hearing the word no. It causes shooting sprees. So sad all the do-gooders caused this society, they all just need a good spanking for starts. Lol, I’m more right than wrong.
LOL???
Loads of opinions, not many facts. (Much like theGrump this past Tuesday nite.)
I agree 100%, the Western world began to corrupt morally when the ” do gooders ” legislated to ban corporal punishment in the class room and in the home.
Children have since grown to adulthood with an entrenched sense of entitlement and disregard for authority.
We need to allow corporal punishment back before it’s entirely too late.
Spare the rod, eh? If people could be beaten into behaving correctly, why doesn’t everybody behave correctly?
Jeez-Louise, take a couple of deep breaths!
It’s important to differentiate between tobacco and marijuana smoke and vaping. Whoever did this research study missed a key variable for validity
Right! I mean…extreme Right!
Now, regarding the article, is lower blood oxygen levels a factor? (Is that also the cause of smokers’ prematurely aged skin?) Or is it one or more of the hundreds of chemicals added to tobacco?
Why do you think he may be angry? He sees what has become and what is happening to America. The destruction of America by the corrupt Liberal left Demorats. They are trying their best to turn our country Socialist. Open your eyes!!!
Then you must really be ignorant if you want another 4 years of the prices and economy we have now
Democrats just can’t admit how Biden and Harris has wrecked the country. If Trump belongs in jail so does Biden because of his involvement with his son and china. The only reason dens hate Trump is his mouth
Fact check that! Don’t take in everything Fox News and other spreading rhetoric. Fact check everything, from both sides.
Yes your right . Our world is a mess with Biden and Harris.
Fox News is accurate and unbiased. The injustices against Trump are unforgivable.
Really? Is that all you have? You must be a smoker.
Also, will people please learn to spell ‘ you’re’.
And what he does has nothing to do with being a leader or a good president or solving problems. He’s a POS and I can’t believe you don’t listen to the rest of the world in your fantasy place..
That’s your opinion. We had to listen to Kamala’s lying.
I heard the lies count was Trump: 33, Harris: 1.
They lied to you
From CNN I’m guessing. Trump is the most honest politician in history. U are brainwashed by media and schools. Please think!!!!!!!!
Only 33? It’s no wonder the MAGA didn’t notice; he lies more in the first five minutes of a typical rally.
But, Fox News didn’t report his lies (as always) so the blind followers just believe what they are told to believe.
“Dear Fox News, we hear and we obey.” “Facts are evil.” “Truth is scary.” “Please, tell us what to think.” “We are lost without your thought instructions.”
So sad..
Like the lie about Haitians eating family pets? Or the lie about the inflation being the worst in history? Or the lie about doing abortions after birth? Or the lie about not being a part of Project 2025? Or the lie that people don’t leave his rallies? Or the lie about crime being high than during his admin?
I’ll bet you missed those Orange Menace lies because Fox News didn’t point the out for you. Get out of the bubble! They are lying to you.
The world is is sick of amerikans with political commentary in unrelated comments sections. Your country has more school massacres than Israel has self defence school attacks. Shame
Truly amazing how some people can make ANYTHING political.
They are displaying serious cognitive impairment!
🤣🤝
100% correct. Add to that the mentality that makes some kinds think a debate is like a football game. Score, Score, Score. A debate should show voters what policies each partipant believes in. Or those believing elections and polls are honest.
The USA needs to start acting as the UNITED States of America for the sake of its own citizens and the rest of the world. Trump has been a devisive hateful and dishonest blight. At least Harris is trying to look forward to a more united country with responsibilities. At the debate she exposed Trump’s moral weakness and bluster for everyone to see. And since this thread is about cognotive decline, she also exposed his cognitive decline.
Ill share my hobby horde if you need some incentive to get off the political bandwagons!! Still proud to be an American!!! Despite all the rhetoric. .
They eat dogs and cats in china.
Trump is well bred, excellent education, intelligent, knows how to make money grow, knows how to crack a joke, knows how to get the United States back on track, is no wimp, has stood up to the worse lies people have made about him, took a shot to the ear and still was fighting for the United States as he went down and covered by his protection squad, and as he recovered is still fighting for the American people and our United States. Most people don’t want to hear the truth, and trump is all about truth. He will win. And read your Bible.
“… and read your bible”
lol
Jesus’s teachings in the bible are just about completely opposite to Trump’s behaviour. Read the bible
Trump will make money grow???? So why, with so much money to start with, has he had no less than 6 bankruptcy filings? Just think how his bona fide creditors feel doing an honest day’s work for his companies! He betrayed those people who had business contracts with him. He walked away. Would you do business with a man who repeatedly does that? And you plan to make this man president????
Stef, so sorry, but at least your post is on topic, as very clear evidence of cognitive decline. You should seek immediate help.
Yep, almost always the MAGA who start it. So insecure…
Well, you may not like politics, but as Ann Richard’s said, you are either at the table or on the menu. Which would we prefer?
I agree! Has no one been paying attention to America’s decline over the last 3 and a half years? Riots, open borders, war in the middle east, high gas, energy and food prices? Not to mention illegals coming into the US and raping, torturing, and murdering our female citizens! Wake up everyone. We are going off a cliff, we may not be able to recover from!!!
Moderator skipped over very important topics. Happens in every Debate.
Our world was better with Trump in office, Can anyone really say our world has been better in the last 4 years?
They are eating pets. Does that surprise anyone?
Exactly.
We see the decline from Australia Same in this country within dreadfull Labor govt Your ABC bias same S Australia’s.Should stand for all the people soo biased.
Yes.
The stock market is way up. Wages are up. Serious crime is down. Pandemic Inflation is falling. Pandemic unemployment is falling. Infrastructure is being rebuilt. We don’t have someone in office who would ignore the severity of a pandemic. We have an independent justice dept. World leaders don’t think our president is a petty, selfish, incompetent lunatic.
So, yeah. Lots of improvement. Vote Blue to keep the progress going!
Cognitive decline is an incredibly serious threat to the security of the entire senior population, more so than people fleeing violence and poverty in south and Central America. Yet the majority of these comments are about a political event that has lasted and will last less than a decade. The short sightedness of the current US population is a disgrace. When your parents, or even you start speaking in word salad, I wonder if you will remember even one salient point of the posted article.
( Why not train the motivated, trained, and screened immigrants to care for the elderly folks with dementia?)
They’re Eating Our Cats &Dogs, said the former POTUS. If it wasn’t so pathetic, it would be funny. How can you people listen to this idiot.
To Kathryn Young:
He was only repeating comments that had been reported on Facebook. Though not supported officially, it is not far fetched. Some cultures do eat dogs.
He’s an idiot. I mean come on is most everyone who worked for him in WH also lying. Point is is cognitive decline and Trump is a poster child. Also to us fact checkers who live in reality there’s no actual discussion with the far out.. they’re not true republicans.. don’t waste anymore energy on it. Cognitive decline good example for all to see … Trump.
So, the person who wants to be the more powerful leader in the world is easily fooled by Facebook nonsense? Duh, I heard it on Facebook… Duh. Smh.
The comment wasn’t about other cultures. He was blathering goofy old man nonsense again.
Ditto
Because it’s true. It may not be all immigrants, but definitely is being done. And it’s disgusting.
Some Countries eat cats and dogs. China is one of these Countries but not Haiti!
Trump wouldn’t dare say Chinese were eating cats and dogs would he?! But Black Haitian immigrants sure!
I wish people would research information before commenting.
Absolute! Love your post .. move this nasty old man on … The whole world is exhausted by his lies and fabrications.
Don’t see what war in the Middle East has to do with the decline of America.
Oh my goodness, stop swallowing everything you hear from trump and Fox News, like you are a hungry baby bird. America has not been declining! We have the lowest unemployment rate in five decades, Riots have not increased, research that. When a border deal was reached, trump interfered so the issue would not be resolved and he could use it during his campaign. Again, fact, check that. There has always been war in the Middle East! Illegal immigrants do not commit more crimes than US citizens. Just research, don’t believe everything you’re told, and then form an opinion!!!
I’m not particularly fond of Trump, but for you to say our country is not in decline just shows you do not pay attention to anything around you. You should stop watching MSNBC.
Exactly.
We see the decline of US from Australia Same in this country with this dreadfull Labor govt Your ABC bias same Australia’s.Should stand for all the people soo biased.
They’re trying to scare people & it’s sick. I don’t want another 4 yrs of chaos & cognitive decline
Hows your pocketbook after the largest inflation increases in history. The Biden administrations freebie programs to house and support the ones who choose to ride for free, along with illegal aliens allowed to enter our country by the hundreds of thousands daily, has cost our country in such a way that we cannot afford to support ourselves any longer. I’m not saying Trump is any better of a choice, trust me! But this country should be searching for a leader that doesn’t have a personal agenda. By the People, For the people. Wake the F up America.
People could wake up and better themselves instead of expecting their leaders to solve every one of their problems. I’m a liberal, but I still believe in personal responsibility.
All the exaggerating about inflation makes me disgusted. It is NOT the highest in recent history! The 1980’s saw inflation with home interest rates around 26%. Quit the whining and get to work saving your $ instead of spending it.
Well said Michelle!
The Right call anyone who’s not ‘brainwashed’ a sheep. Lolol
Isn’t that an apt description for them!
Sad
OMG do you believe all those lies.
U must love to be lied too ! Just relax take a deep breath. Go have a cat or dog.
The infrastructure is going to get fixed.
The unemployment is down. U don’t have Old Joe to kick around. Just a bloated orange faced prickly blob of Sh–.
😂😂😂😂🍷🍷🍷🍷😂😂😂😂
I hope they listen to YOU!
I’m very afraid civil unrest could be heading our way
Christina, the decline started over 50 years ago, but it’s commonly dated to the fascism-lite policies of Reagan, beginning with his election in 1980. There’s been a long-term game plan to produce a society much like we have today: a controlled partisan Supreme Court; a controlled partisan press; unrepresentative elections via partisan voting laws; and most importantly, uncontrolled corporate freedom. By definition, this is called fascism.
Um…. That began with Reagan. Where have you been?
What a stupid thing to say
Says the narrow-minded, intolerant one
It all started a few gens back when they spared the rod and spoiled the now politically correct grown up children.
Nobody grew up with a pecking order to grow into. So now they can’t handle hearing the word no. It causes shooting sprees. So sad all the do-gooders caused this society, they all just need a good spanking for starts. Lol, I’m more right than wrong.
Being conservativemakes you narrow minded and intolerant
That was a very narrow minded and intolerant comment.
Look in the mirror.
Believing AND SUPPORTING narcissistic, misogynistic, sociopathic, unapologetic, dictator driven, crazy theorists is DEFINITELY a HUGE red flag for cognitive decline or just plain ignorance
👍
I agree, don’t vote for Kamala!
Yes!
What do you hope to gain from this kind of comment? Do think liberals will be swayed and changed their minds? Do you feel clever and smug for writing it?
My point is that these types of comments serve no purpose and only make our society a little less humane.
No room for politics in this thread coming from someone who’s supposedly conservative candidate sound like he has mental decline..stop drinking the Kool aid
Most certainly!👵
👍😸
At least the liberals in canada. Can also include NDP the No Definite Plan party
That’s a fact that cannot be denied.
Extra extra read all about it!
Lighting something on fire and inhaling the black and gray smoke from is bad for you!!!
Money well spent!
Being a Trumpster is the leading sign of cognitive decline.
Do you people ever think of anything else? You’re just 24/7 “the dems the trans the dems”. Get a life.
Low incidence factor compared to the effects of the delusional Greens and the Bowen insanity.
OK but us liberals not so nutty as to believe Haitians want to steal and eat your goldfish.
What data can you present which will substantiate your theory
This article’s information was researched by the University College of London that has produced 27 Nobel Lauretes. It is a highly respected institution with world fame! Yet, you deplorables (HILARY WAS RIGHT, but she should have muzzled her remarks) choose to be disrespectful of the research efforts stated here! If you have the need to complain, do it on another platform! From looking at the negative responses it appears they are from pathetic old white men who feel disenfranchised and are fearful of smart women and minorities. Get a grip guys, we liberals, are tired of your whining ways!
That’s the opposite of truth. Liberals are open-minded. Conservatives have limited views and are slow to change them. They think they know what is right better than others and are quite judgmental. Liberals live and let live. They are happier than conservatives.
It is clearly affecting you. Put on our MAGA hat and return to the 50s
Sorry for your cognitive right wing decline. Democrats tend to lean toward a healthier lifestyle. So, sorry about your ignorance.
Touchy!
Bless, thoughts & prayers!
All the people I know who hate smoke have a much lower IQ and are all suffering from psychological problems as well as engaging in criminal behavior, using smoke as a justification for murder and stealing. It’s like a secret code amongst thieves.
Oh WOW. This right after listening to Trumps lies, hyperbole and inane rambling from a career criminal. We get this from an obvious Qanon follower. keep it up friend.
Ken you need a personal check up who you are and where your headed. Your angry and self centered. Nothing helps to get you up and running than. Jesus Christ good luck
Stop using Jesus’ name in vain.
Amen!
I agree. Judgement day is coming.
Age brings me pain, pain brings me wisdom and wisdom brings me tolerance!
Agreed
I don’t understand. Did you mean people who love smoke??
Sparky, unintelligent comments aside I ask the question: If humans were created and designed to inhale smoke, nicotinamide, tars, drugs, Canabinoids, alcohol, then why did the design not compensate for man’s stupidity?
Begs the question of the intention of the design originator. If your relatves were only wrist draggers,
Or pond scam buddies, why emulate their inadequacies?
Some very good points were made & working to maintain them enhances our mental clarity & lessens our dive into MMCI (Mild to Moderate Cognitive Impairment)…& It’s worth the Effort.
Illustration credit should be given, whether stock, AI or done by an illustrator on commission. Cheers.
Yes the illustration is great
I guess that 2nd hand smoke from Hunter got to Biden lololol. Couldn’t resist
Dogs and cats are delicious don’t make harsh comments if you haven’t eaten them
When we attend to the needs of those in want, we give them what is theirs, not ours. More than performing works of mercy, we are paying a debt of justice.”
— Pope Saint Gregory the Great
However,if they are not willing to learn to fish and feed themselves and pay it fwd it is wasted.
People take advantage and you have to know how to discern that.
Flowery words do make it true.
However nicotine is associated with major reductions in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s risk. From what I understand it’s tobacco and smoking that seems to cause the harm, rather than the drug itself, nicotine.
Based on this “The exception was smokers who had a healthy lifestyle in all other areas – that is, they did regular exercise, drank alcohol in moderation, and socialized regularly. This group had a rate of cognitive decline similar to non-smokers” It seems like what the study actually showed, is that people who lead unhealthy lifestyles are more likely to smoke. . . Shocking.
Amen to that! The LORD is in charge not liberals!
Only for those who believe that….
😂😂😂😂😂 When ya can’t find a cure ya always blame cigarettes 😂😂😂😂😂
And what about drinking? Alcohol is worse for your health than smoking and can now lead to Cancer, even if still used in moderation. How about reporting on that? No huh? Of course not. Always blame tobacco for everything when there are worse products out there.
Dogs and cats are delicious how do you know if you haven’t eaten it
My Mother was a Senior Gynaecologist Consultant in London.
She retired at 50 after she was diagnosed at 45 with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Disease, she lived until her 75th birthday after years of various treatments.
Mother never smoked or enjoyed a wine, the Medics and various experiments couldn’t highlight as to the cause of this disease.
Mother used to say we’re all different at birth – everyone is created differently we have to understand we’re all not the same.
Shall we say it’s down to a bit of luck.