But now a new study has suggested you ditch everything you know about marriage and its health benefits.
Research published in the journal Alzheimer’s and Dementia studied dementia among more than 24,000 adults over 18 years.
All of the unmarried adults – whetherdivorcedor widowed or never married – were found to be at lower risk of developing dementia than the married adults.
Their risk was at least 50 percent lower.
Those who had always been single (never married) had the lowest risk of all, though the difference between them and the other unmarried groups was not statistically significant.
In the study, 24,107 participants between the ages of 50 and 104 (average was 72) were assessed every year over the 18 year period.
Each time, they undertook neuropsychological tests of cognitive status and were evaluated by clinicians.
The results showed people who weren’t married were less at risk than the married people for dementia, Alzheimer’s or Lewy body dementia.
At the start of the study, some of the participants already had mild cognitive impairment.
Again,it was among the unmarried that their mild impairment was less likely to progress to dementia.
During the study, some of the married participants became widowed.
Those who did were less likely to develop dementia than those who stayed married.
The researchers also looked at other factors that could influence the development of dementia, such as age, sex, race, education, and smoking.
But the key finding emerged over and over again – unmarried people are less likely to develop dementia than married people.
GettyStaying unmarried could slash your risk of developing dementia, according to the new study[/caption]
They couldn’t say definitely why unmarried people were less likely to develop dementia than married people, but they did suggest single people are better at maintaining their social ties.
Selin Karakose, a Postdoctoral Researcher, Florida State University, and her colleagues said: “Never married individuals are also more likely to socialise with friends and neighbours and are more likely to engage in healthier behaviours than their married counterparts.
“Married individuals tend to have less social integration and are engaged in less frequent and lower-quality interactions in their networks compared to their unmarried counterparts.
“These positive aspects of well-being and social ties may potentially serve as protective factors against dementia over time.”
10 early signs and symptoms of Alzheimer's and dementia
Memory loss that disrupts daily life
Challenges in planning or solving problems
Difficulty completing familiar tasks
Confusion with time or place
Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships
New problems with words in speaking or writing
Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps
Decreased or poor judgment
Withdrawal from work or social activities
Changes in mood and personality
If you notice one or more signs in yourself or another person, it can be difficult to know what to do.
It’s natural to feel uncertain or nervous about discussing these changes with others.
Voicing worries about your own health might make them seem more ‘real’.
Or, you may fear upsetting someone by sharing observations about changes in his or her abilities or behaviour.
However, these are significant health concerns that should be evaluated by a doctor, and it’s important to take action to figure out what’s going on.
20 hours agoLatest NewsComments Off on Darts star arrives at venue for tournament… only to awkwardly find out he doesn’t need to play
DARTS star Madars Razma showed up to a European Tour qualifier on Wednesday – only to find out that he wasn’t due to play.
The 36-year-old thought he required qualification for events five and six on the calendar, which are due to take place at the end of April and start of May.
GettyMadars Razma has revealed he showed up to an event without needing to[/caption]
GettyHe did not need to take part in qualifying for the European Tour events[/caption]
However, he arrived at the venue in Leicester only to find out that he’d already earned a place.
Razma took to social media to share his error, writing: “Sometimes you need to read the @OfficialPDC news.
“I arrive at venue to play the qualifiers, but I don’t find myself in the tournament.
“And then you find out that you are already in Graz.”
The first of the two European Tour events is set to take place in Graz, Austria.
That will be followed by another event in Sindelfingen, Germany, the next week.
Fans were quick to comment on the darts star’s mistake, with one person writing: “At least you were already in Leicester from the Players Champ events!
“Can you imagine if you’d travelled from home to find out you’d already qualified?”
20 hours agoLatest NewsComments Off on Maura Higgins lands HUGE six figure deal alongside Eva Longoria and Kendall Jenner after Danny Jones kiss
MAURA Higgins has landed a huge new beauty deal as she moves on from her drunken kiss with Danny Jones.
The Love Island star, 34, is said to be “relieved” to have been offered work from L’Oreal, who have offered her six-figures having been impressed with her shoot for MAC cosmetics.
GettyMaura Higgins has landed a huge money making deal[/caption]
instagramThe stunning star has landed a contract with L’Oreal[/caption]
instagramMaura spotted on the L’Oreal Paris steam train recently[/caption]
The SunMaura hit the headlines after her Brit Awards smooch with Danny Jones[/caption]
Maura Higgins’ fans have rallied round in the wake of the drama at last month’s Brit Awards which followed her split from Pete Wicks.
Pete Wicks and Maura Higgins' relationship timeline
Maura and Pete are believed to have met for the first time in 2019, following her stint on Love Island. She late said they “just clicked”.
In August 2024, the pair were spotted enjoying a lunch date together in London’s Soho.
The following month, Maura showed her support to Pete following the release of his book Never Enough: My Words Unfiltered. She wrote online: “Proud of you.”
In October, Pete appeared on Olivia Attwood’s podcast and was grilled about his romance with Maura. Olivia said: “Your dating life. Maura Higgins.” Pete replied: “Me and Maura have known each other for a long time.” Olivia told him she’d seen a photo of them kissing.
Maura spoke briefly about Pete on Paul C Brunson’s We Need To Talk podcast in the same month. She said: “We just get on very, very well. I adore him, he’s an amazing person.”
Later in October, Maura and Pete were spotted kissing and cuddling several times; once at the Pride Of Britain afterparty and again during a dinner date.
Maura jetted off to the jungle for I’m A Celebrity in November. But she continued to pretend nothing was going on. Maura told GK Barry: “No, I’m single. People can date and not be in a relationship and take things slow. What’s the point in getting them involved too soon, when you just don’t know where it’s gonna go, you know?”
Just weeks later, Pete told The Times that he was “s*** scared” of settling down. He also appeared in Loose Women in February and spoke about his fears of commitment.
On February 14, Valentine’s Day, it was reported that Pete and Maura had split up.
20 hours agoLatest NewsComments Off on Cops probing horror funeral home where 35 bodies and human ashes were discovered charge director with 64 offences
A DIRECTOR of a horror funeral home where 35 bodies and human ashes were discovered has been charged with 64 offences.
Robert Bush, 47, of Hull-based Legacy Funeral Directors, was arrested last March on suspicion of fraud and prevention of a lawful burial.
Police retrieved 35 bodies and human ashes from Legacy Funeral Directors in HullGettyNB PRESS LTDRobert Bush, 47, has been charged with 64 offences[/caption]
A file of 13,000 exhibits, compiled in the ten months since, was handed to the Crown Prosecution Service in January.
Now Bush has been charged with 64 offences including 30 counts of preventing an unlawful and decent burial.
He is also accused of 30 counts of fraud by false representation in relation to the “deceased” removed from the home, Humberside Police said.
The charge allegedly relates to funeral plans involving 172 victims between April 20, 2023 and March 6, 2024.
Bush is also charged with one count of fraud in relation to human ashes involving 50 people.
He has been bailed to appear at Hull Magistrates’ Court on June 25.
The force said the charges come after a “complex, protracted and highly sensitive” 10-month investigation.
Deputy Chief Constable Dave Marshall confirmed the families for the 35 dead people found inside the home have been informed.
He said: “We have updated the families of the 35 deceased with this development and we have made initial contact with additional victims who have been affected by the investigation and we will be personally in touch with them in the coming days.
“As the investigation now moves into the courts and judicial process, I would please ask people to refrain from any speculation or commenting that could prejudice or jeopardise the case, and to allow those affected to get the answers they desperately need and rightly deserve.
“My sincerest thanks go out to those affected for their patience and understanding.
“They have always been the priority and at the very heart of the entire investigation and this will remain, and we would please ask their privacy is continued to be respected.”
In July a woman, 55, was arrested on suspicion of money laundering.
20 hours agoLatest NewsComments Off on Popular pizza chain with more than 70 stores closes down ‘dirty’ restaurant after tourist spots MICE ‘running free’
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They added: “The restaurant has now reopened following the completion of a satisfactory visit from our specialists.”
The rodents could be seen leaping around behind the busy eatery in Archway, NorthLondon.
Video obtained by The Sun showed the pests scaling a wall where restaurant deliveries are taken.
One local resident said more than a dozen “big and small” rats were seen crawling out of bins.
She said: “They were massive. The rats didn’t seem scared of people at all.
“They were swarming everywhere. It’s sickening. They were spilling out onto the pavement.
“I was going for a burger and I spotted them. I didn’t fancy it afterwards, it was grim.”
Pest control experts are believed to have visited the fast food giant after the sighting on March 5.
The rats were seen behind McDonald’s and close to a Premier Inn hotel, witnesses said.
A McDonald’s spokeswoman said: “Cleanliness and hygiene are of the utmost importance to us.
“This issue relates to the waste storage area outside of our restaurant where our neighbours are currently undertaking building work.
“As soon as it was brought to our attention we contacted our pest prevention partner, as well as our neighbouring businesses, to take immediate action.”
20 hours agoLatest NewsComments Off on Nintendo Switch 2 release date finally revealed with clever new way to play games and a surprise Zelda title
NINTENDO has finally revealed when the brand new Switch 2 console will be released – along with some surprise new games.
The tech giant unveiled a new Mario title called Mario Kart World, which will launch on the same day as the Nintendo Switch 2, as well as a fresh Zelda title coming later this year.
NintendoNew Mario Kart World game allows you to go ‘virtually anywhere’[/caption]
NintendoPlayers can now see and hear each other with GameChat[/caption]
Mario Kart players will no longer be restricted to the race track with the ability to drive “virtually anywhere” to access hidden new areas and routes.
The environment of these “vast worlds” will change based on the time of day and weather conditions around you.
Up to 24 drivers can participate in each race, the most in the series’ history.
Early footage of a new Zelda title called Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment was also shown during Nintendo Direct, which will be released in the winter.
Elsewhere, Nintendo shared several new ways to play with friends.
Users can now use GameChat to talk to friends with their voice.
And there’s a new Nintendo Switch 2 Camera for video chat as well.
It supports the parent controls app, so that permission is required every time a child wants to use GameChat to play with friends.
Players need a Nintendo Switch Online subscription to use GameChat – but it will be free for a limited time to give people a chance to try it out.
Another handy new feature is GameShare, allowing a group of friends to play one title from multiple screens.
This means you only need one copy of the game to multi-play locally with your own Switch 2 device and screen.
It’ll be available on selected titles, starting with Clubhouse Games 51 Worldwide Classics.
Elsewhere, Nintendo shared more about its new-look Joy Con controllers for the Switch 2.
A new C button is there to initiate GameChat.
SL and SR buttons are bigger when using controllers horizontally.
As previously announced, the controllers now connect magnetically to the main Switch 2 console – just press release buttons on the back to detach them.
Each controller can be used as a mouse too.
The display on the console itself is now bigger at 7.9 inches wide, compared to 7.2 inches on the last Switch.
It now supports 1080p with 120fps (frames per second) for smoother game play.
And the new dock goes a step further with 4K support and a built in fan to keep things cool.
Nintendo has boosted the internal storage to 256GB as well so you can store more of your games and data.
20 hours agoLatest NewsComments Off on Former France international and Man Utd target, 34, trying to revive career in IRAN after sexual assault conviction
FORMER France international Wissam Ben Yedder is trying to revive his career in Iran following his sexual assault conviction.
GettyWissam Ben Yedder has joined Iranian top tier side Sepahan SC[/caption]
The victim claimed Ben Yedder had groped her and performed a sex act in front of her in his car.
Ben Yedder has been without a club since his contract with Monaco expired in 2024.
He has since undergone alcohol detox and therapy and has now found a new club – Sepahan SC.
The Iranian club announced the Frenchman has put pen to paper, with L’Equipe claiming he has been tied down on a deal until the end of the season, with the option of an extra year.
He has passed a medical and is now awaiting international clearance before being allowed to play.
Sepahan SC are second in the Persian Gulf Pro League – Iran‘s top tier.
Ben Yedder has been under legal supervision since the alleged sexual assault incident.
The 19-cap star was ordered to pay compensation of £4,100 ($5,300) to the victim and had to follow a treatment course.
The court also ordered the suspension of Ben Yedder’s driving licence for six months.
In a separate legal case last year, Ben Yedder was charged with rape, attempted rape and sexual assault over another alleged incident in the south of France.
The case is Ben Yedder’s FOURTH brush with the law in recent years.
His ex-wife accused him of psychological violence and he received a fine and suspended prison sentence for tax offences last year.
Ben Yedder signed for Monaco in 2019 from Sevilla, costing the Ligue Un club £34million.
20 hours agoLatest NewsComments Off on Genius £1 household item is the secret to fixing stained walls – it gets windows streak-free too
NOW that spring cleaning season has officially arrived, there’s never been a better time to learn how to get rid of common stains in the home.
April is the perfect time for homeowners to freshen up their spaces after the doom and gloom ofwinterweather.
GettyA cleaning expert has revealed how you can get rid of the marks from your walls[/caption]
But it can seem overwhelming when you have no idea where to begin or what cleaning solutions work best.
Luckily, experts have revealed what works best for a thorough spring clean – and you might already have them in your kitchen cupboard.
Cleaning pro Nicola Rodriguez has said that homemade cleaning products are the way to go to get rid of common marks around the house.
And, in collaboration with Northerner, she revealed that mixing baking soda, bicarbonate of soda, and white vinegar creates an incredible paste that works to get out almost all grease marks and stains.
One annoying stain in the home that the paste removes is stain marks on walls caused by smoke.
Whether you light a lot of candles or smoke inside the home, these marks can be incredibly tricky to get rid of.
Things like smoke stains in particular can be difficult to remove without damaging any paint or wallpaper, but this works perfectly
Nicola RodriguezCleaning expert
And because they’re normally very dark, they’re also very unpleasant to look at.
But Nicola says all you need to do is spread the paste on the affected areas and then wipe it off with a damp cloth to remove it
And it won’t even damage the paint or wallpaper.
She said: “Baking soda is an absolute must-have when it comes to homemade cleaning products.
“Before a big spring clean, always make sure that you have a packet of baking soda, bicarbonate of soda, and a bottle of white vinegar to hand.
“When combined, they create the most amazing paste that will help you keep on top of limescale and grease build-up.
“They are also natural ingredients so you can avoid harsh chemicals.
“They are also super cheap to buy – win-win!
“This combination is perfect for complex cleans like stubborn grease build-up and stained walls.
“Things like smoke stains in particular can be difficult to remove without damaging any paint or wallpaper.
“But this all-natural formula works perfectly.
“Of course, prevention is always better than cure, so you should smoke outside where you can to avoid the staining in the first place”.
WINDOW CLEANING TRICK
NICOLA Rodriguez as also shared her top trick for getting windows and glass sparkling clean.
Just mix some vinegar with water to create the perfect formula that works as well as any expensive product.
She said; “Windows can be some of the most difficult things to clean because of the materials they are made from, the location, and the type of dirt they attract.
“For example, if you have tall or especially high windows they can be hard to reach, making it difficult to achieve a streak-free clean.
“The glass can also go streaky if the wrong products are used, or if you attempt to clean the window in direct sunlight when the glass is hot.
“For an effective homemade solution to clean windows try mixing a vinegar and water solution and cleaning with a microfibre cloth on a cloudy day to prevent quick drying.
“You’ll save so much money making the effort to clean your own windows, and as the home gets lighter in spring/summer, you won’t be distracted by streaky marks across the windows.”
20 hours agoLatest NewsComments Off on Val Kilmer’s heartbreaking admission he was ‘lonely every day’ after split from wife Joanne Whalley amid health battle
VAL Kilmer spent the last 24 years of his life single despite having a string of public relationships with some of Hollywood’s brightest stars.
He made a heartbreaking revelation about his faltering love life in the years before his tragic death as he admitted to feeling “lonely every day”.
Rex FeaturesCo-stars Val Kilmer and Angelina Jolie, who later dated, at the premiere of Alexander in 2004[/caption]
LucasFilmsKilmer met his ex-wife and mum of his two children Joanne Whalley on the set of 1988 hit Willow[/caption]
GettyKilmer always confessed to loving actress Daryl Hannah more than any previous woman[/caption]
The Batman and Top Gun star passed away at the age of 65 in Los Angeles on Tuesday after suffering from pneumonia.
He was surrounded by his family and friends when he was pronounced dead but a wife or close lover was notably absent from his bedside.
He was always viewed as a Casanova to those who knew him with many of his on-screen flings turning into lovers in the 80s, 90s and even into the early 2000s.
But after a number of unfortunate failed attempts at falling in love forever, Kilmer decided to live a quiet life by himself.
In his 2020 memoir titled I’m Your Huckleberry, the then 60-year-old actor spoke out about how being a single man has affected him.
He said he has always been interested in women more than men even as just friends.
Kilmer said: “Perhaps that’s why we’ve always gotten along. We are big oafy elephants and they are butterflies.”
In a heartbreaking admission later on in the book, he stated: “I haven’t had a girlfriend in 20 years.
Kilmer met Joanne Whalley in 1987 when they paid acted alongside each other in the hit film Willow.
They started dating shortly after filming and quickly tied the knot just a year later.
Joanne, an actress from Salford, Greater Manchester, was seen to many as the love of Kilmer’s life when the pair announced the birth of baby girl Mercedes in 1991.
Less than four years later, Joanne welcomed young Jack into the world.
A year later, the couple announced a shock split as they both amicably went their separate ways and divorced.
Val’s first romance with a celebrity was with singer CherKilmer also dated supermodel Cindy CrawfordGetty
Kilmer would also date hit maker Cher, actress Michelle Pfeiffer and supermodel Cindy Crawford.
Despite the a-list names in his dating history, Kilmer always confessed to loving and missing one woman the most.
His short lived relationship with actress Daryl Hannah in 2001 was particularly impactful to the actor.
He said years after they split: “Lord knows I’ve suffered heartache. But Daryl was by far the most painful of all.
“I knew I would love her with my whole heart forever and that love has lost none of its strength. I am still in love with Daryl.”
The breakup was so devastating that Kilmer even admitted: “I cried every single day for half a year.”
Hannah would go on to marry Neil Young in 2018 with the pair still together today.
Val's Hollywood loves
VAL Kilmer was once known as the prickly Hollywood playboy who managed to grow close to several female celebrity elites during his decades at the top.
Cher – In the early 1980s, Kilmer was introduced to singer and actress Cher. Initially skeptical about meeting her, he soon discovered her to be “the funniest person you’ll ever meet.” Their relationship blossomed, leading Kilmer to move into Cher’s residence at Caesars Palace during her Las Vegas residency. He reflected, “Cher trafficked an intoxicating glamour and I, a Valley boy, fell under her spell.” Despite parting ways romantically, they maintained a lifelong friendship.
Michelle Pfeiffer – Kilmer’s connection with actress Michelle Pfeiffer began in 1985 on the set of “One Too Many.” Although brief, their relationship was significant during that period.
Joanne Whalley – While filming “Willow” in 1987, Kilmer met British actress Joanne Whalley. Their on-set chemistry led to marriage in 1988. The couple had two children: daughter Mercedes, born in 1991, and son Jack, born in 1995. Despite their shared experiences, the marriage ended in divorce in 1996.
Cindy Crawford – Following his divorce, Kilmer was linked to supermodel Cindy Crawford. He admired her deeply, expressing: “I thought I could have died from her love because its delight was simply too much to bear.” However, their demanding careers made sustaining the relationship challenging.
Angelina Jolie – In 2004, on the set of “Alexander,” Kilmer met actress Angelina Jolie. He described her as “perhaps the most soulful and serious of them all,” noting: “She’s like other women and other superstars but just more. More gorgeous. More wise. More tragic. More magic. More grounded.” Their relationship was brief but left a lasting impression on Kilmer.
Daryl Hannah – Kilmer’s relationship with actress Daryl Hannah in 2001 was particularly impactful. He confessed: “Lord knows I’ve suffered heartache. But Daryl was by far the most painful of all.” He continued: “I knew I would love her with my whole heart forever and that love has lost none of its strength. I am still in love with Daryl.” The breakup was so devastating that Kilmer admitted, “I cried every single day for half a year.”
After the heartache of his split from Hannah, Kilmer only managed to have one final foray in the dating pool.
In 2004, he again grew close to a co-worker on the set of “Alexander” when he met actress Angelina Jolie.
He described her as “perhaps the most soulful and serious of them all”.
Adding: “She’s like other women and other superstars but just more.
“More gorgeous. More wise. More tragic. More magic. More grounded.”
Their relationship faded shortly after Alexander was released when Angelina met Brad Pitt on the set of Mr & Mrs Smith.
Inside Kilmer’s incredible career
The actor spent 38 years rubbing shoulders with some of the world’s biggest movie stars from Robert De Niro and Al Pacino to Robert Downey Jr and Tom Cruise.
He first appeared in slapstick comedy Top Secret! in 1984 before landing a role in Top Gun two year later as his career took off.
In 1988, he played the lead role in Willow alongside his former wife Joanne before starring in a string of 90s classics.
He played Jim Morrison in The Doors in 1991 before featuring in Quentin Tarantino’s second ever screenplay True Romance in 1993.
RexKilmer in his first major Hollywood role in Top Gun[/caption]
Jack and Mercedes Kilmer are the children of Top Gun star Val Kilmer
Kilmer arguably had the best year of his life in 1995 as he played the role of Bruce Wayne and Batman and starred in Heat alongside legendary duo Al Pacino and Robert De Niro.
Throughout the next 20 years, Kilmer started to play a range of role in musicals, TV shows and even doing voice overs for children’s movies.
These included Knight Rider, Planes and The Ten Commandments before his final brief role back in the Top Gun universe in 2022.
He had to bravely fight to return to the big screen for Top Gun: Maverick after almost a decade battling with serious health issues.
Kilmer would cover his neck in a scarf following the surgery to hide the device.
In a candid Amazon Prime documentary entitled Val, the Top Gun and Batman Forever star said: “I obviously am sounding much worse than I feel.
“I can’t speak without plugging this hole [in his throat].”
When asked what he missed most about his voice, Kilmer joked about how he “didn’t laugh like a pirate” before the surgery.
The actor also faced numerous other challenges, including having meals given to him through a feeding tube.
He said: “You have to make the choice to breathe or to eat. It’s an obstacle that is very present with whoever sees me.”
He had initially kept his cancer diagnosis secret before revealing his struggles in 2021.
He explained how he was unaware of his throat cancer until he coughed up “coagulated blood” one day and was rushed to hospital after passing out.
AlamyVal Kilmer played the lead role in Batman Forever in the 90s[/caption]
Corbis - GettyVal Kilmer found fame in the Hollywood blockbuster Top Gun back in the 80s alongside Tom Cruise[/caption]
YouTubeKilmer in his final ever film role after returning to the Top Gun franchise speaking to Cruise[/caption]