Bingo's Benefits Revealed

Bingo and crosswords help keep the brain in good condition, according to an Australian university.

Playing bingo and keeping the mind active can help keep an ageing brain in good condition, new research has revealed.

According to a study from the School of Psychiatry at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia, people who regularly test their mental capabilities can stave off memory centre deterioration.

Doing crosswords and getting involved in games of bingo are two ways to test the brain and can help prevent disease, the study indicated.

Some six years ago, the University of Southampton conducted similar research that claimed bingo players had faster, more accurate brains than people who did not play the numbers game.

Dr Michael Valenzuela from the Australian university said: "We've got strong evidence here that people who use their brains more have less brain shrinkage." He added that people should start using their brains more often.

Brain scans and tests were made on 70 healthy volunteers - aged 60 or over - during the three-year study period.