Steve Smith of Australia does a crossword during a rain delay during day one of the First Test Match of the 2017/18 Ashes Series between Australia and England at The Gabba on November 23, 2017, in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
10. Many people do crosswords each day with the belief that this activity will keep the brain young while keeping Alzheimer’s or dementia at bay. Unfortunately, there is no evidence for this belief, often leading it into the myth category. However, there’s no need to give up on those thought-provoking activities you find joy in. Crossword puzzles flex one particular piece of cognition – the ability to find words, which is also known as fluency. A type of process based on the speech and language centers of the brain, fluency is an essential part of keeping your brain sharp, an overall positive benefit to keep in mind as you get older . So get out those pens and start solving!