A new study showed that intelligent people are more likely to become healthier and live longer. Experts suggest that genes related to thinking skills are associated with health.

Telegraph reported that scientists at the University of Edinburgh showed intelligence is connected to good health. The new findings show that smart people are also healthier and less likely to get sick or die at an early age.

The study, which was published in the journal Molecular Science, stated that it supports an existing theory. This notes that people with better overall health are likely to have higher levels of intelligence.

The scientists studied data from over 100,000 people from ages 40 to 73 years old.

Specifically, individuals who topped the memory, reaction time and verbal reasoning tests were less likely to possess genes associated with high blood pressure, Alzheimer’s disease and diabetes. These smart people were also likely to have bigger brains and taller. However, they were also predisposed more to autism, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

Dr. Stuart Ritchie of Edinburgh University stated that there are several overlaps in the genes linked to mental abilities and educational attainment with genes that are linked to certain disorders. They also discovered that there are several overlaps between the genes linked with disorders and actual cognitive abilities.

For example, genes linked to being taller are also linked to getting a college or university degree. Genes linked to lower reasoning ability were associated with cardiovascular disease. The experts found several overlaps that add more insight on how people may be able to live longer.

IGN stated scientists used to believe that socio-economic factors contributed much to the link between poor health and education. However, the new study hints that genetics also has a role, which means that smart people, despite coming from a poor family, are more likely to stay healthy, compared to individuals who are not very smart. The authors also acknowledge the existence of several other environmental traits that affect health over time.

“In addition to there being shared genetic influences between cognitive skills and some physical and mental health states, the study also found that cognitive skills share genetic influences with brain size, body shape and educational attainments,” said research head Professor Ian Deary, Director of the Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology (CCACE) at the University of Edinburgh.

More updates and details on the study are expected soon.