Dhaka, Oct. 22 -- Keeping up a varied social life -- particularly through volunteering and sports clubs -- can slow brain ageing and improve cognitive performance, according to a new study.

Researchers, including from Guangdong Medical University in China, drew on pooled long-term data from five major surveys conducted across the US, UK, Europe, China, and Mexico, covering around 60,000 people in 24 countries.

Tracking nearly 58,000 participants over an average of six years, they found that those who engaged in social activities scored significantly higher on cognitive assessments than those who did not, The Independent reports.

The protective effect grew with the number of activities -- engaging in at least three appeared to offer the...