Exploring the amazing health benefits of reading

FALLBROOK - It can be hard for some people to pick up a book when there are so many distractions at the ready. But while books might not be as flashy as the latest must-have digital gadget, they can provide benefits that might surprise even the most avid readers.

In addition to the intellectual benefits of reading, indulging in a good book can also boost physical health. According to Ken Pugh, PhD, president and director of research at Haskins Laboratories, which is devoted to the science of language, when a person is reading “parts of the brain that have evolved for other functions connect in...