People with higher levels of cynical distrust are more susceptible to developing dementia and more likely to die sooner, according to a recent study published in the journal Neurology, the Medical Daily reported.

To investigate the relationship between late-life cynical distrust and incident dementia mortality, Anna-Maija Tolppanen, study author of the University of Eastern Finland in Kuopio and her colleagues in Finland used data from the Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Aging and Dementia Study. A total of 1,449 people with an average age of 71 were given tests for dementia and a questionnaire to measure their level of cynicism. Based on their scores, participants were grouped in low, moderate, and high levels of cynical distrust.

A total of 622 people completed two tests for dementia, with the last one having an average follow-up of eight years after the study started. During this time, 46 people were diagnosed with dementia.

The findings revealed people with high levels of cynical distrust were three times more likely to develop dementia than people with low levels of cynicism. The participants with higher levels of cynical distrust were found to be older, and a greater body mass index (BMI), and systolic blood pressure.

Cynical hostility may not only trigger the onset of dementia but also immune-related diseases.

Scott Crabtree at Happy Brain Science told Medical Daily the science is clear when it comes to cynicism and our health. “Cynicism lowers optimism and lowers mood, dropping well-being overall.”

Perhaps we can all stop being cynical, for our health’s sake, or not.