Cooking, washing the dishes and gardening can slash the risk of Alzheimer's by more than a fifth, according to new research. A study of more than half a million Brits found those who did household chores were 21 percent less likely to develop the disease.
It was the second biggest protective activity behind regular brisk walks or bike rides - which lowered cases by 35 per cent. The other vital factor was meeting up with family and friends - lowering rates by 15 per cent.
Lead author Professor Huan Song, of Sichuan University in China, said: "Many studies have identified potential risk factors for dementia. But we wanted to know more about a wide variety of lifestyle habits and their potential role in the prevention of dementia.
