Brain Fact: Crosswords are fun and may improve your ability to find words, but they don't help your brain's overall cognition or memory. ... So doing crosswords might help you get better at word finding, but that's the sum total of their positive benefits to your brain.

Is doing crosswords good for your brain?

According to a University of Exeter study, older adults who regularly did word and number puzzles had increased mental acuity. A 2011 experiment with members of the Bronx Aging Study found that a regular regimen of crosswords might delay the onset of cognitive decline.

What do crosswords help with?

She firmly believes that solving crosswords on a regular basis can “improve memory and brain function in older adults.” Such activities can also “improve mental functions in patients with brain damage or early dementia.”