Dame Judi Dench, renowned for iconic roles like M in James Bond, has a surprising hobby beyond acting: she is passionate about Bananagrams, a family-friendly word game that sharpens the mind. Her enthusiasm echoes growing research showing word games can enhance cognitive skills across all ages.
- Judi Dench calls herself a Bananagrams “fiend” and wrote a foreword for a game guide.
- Research shows board and word games support memory and thinking abilities in older adults.
- Bananagrams encourages quick thinking and visual processing, benefiting the brain at any age.
What happened
Judi Dench, the Oscar-winning British actress, has revealed her love for Bananagrams, a travel-size word game stored in a banana-shaped pouch. Beyond acting, Dench enjoys playing this fast-paced game where players build connected words using letter tiles, and she even contributed the foreword to a strategy book about it.
Other well-known British actors, such as Maggie Smith and Laura Carmichael, have also enjoyed Bananagrams, with cast members of Downton Abbey reportedly hosting tournaments during filming. Their shared enthusiasm highlights how much joy a simple word game can bring to players of various ages.
Why it feels good
Scientific research confirms that playing traditional board and word games helps maintain and improve cognitive functions like memory, vocabulary, and processing speed. Studies led by institutions like the University of Edinburgh and King’s College London found that regular game playing in older adults correlates with better thinking skills and slows cognitive decline.
More targeted studies on word games have shown benefits for young learners, improving spelling accuracy and engagement, and for older adults, enhancing brain function. The fast-paced nature of Bananagrams also promotes quick neural communication and visual scanning, which are crucial for cognitive health.
What to enjoy or watch next
If you want to enjoy the brain-boosting benefits of Bananagrams yourself, the game’s portability and simplicity make it perfect for holiday trips, family gatherings, or casual play at home. Adding a timer or playing competitively can increase the cognitive challenge and enjoyment.
For those inspired by Judi Dench, exploring books like the one she contributed to can offer strategies to improve gameplay. Additionally, engaging regularly in Scrabble and other word-based puzzles can further stimulate working memory and visual processing skills, enhancing overall mental agility.