People who take part in mental activities like reading the newspaper or playing card games may have the thinking skills of someone 13 years younger, new research reveals.

Research from the University of California, published in journal Neurology, asked participants if they’d done three things in the past 13 months: read books, magazines or newspapers; gone to classes; and played cards, games or bingo.

Those who took part in mental activities were found to have their thinking speed improved by an average of 13 years.

Men benefitted more than women, with men seeing an average improvement of 17 years, while for women that number was 10.

Head researcher on the study, Professor Judy Pa, says the research shows cognitive capacity works on a “use it or lose it” basis.

Press PLAY below to hear how mental activity helps keep your brain young