Speaking Multiple Languages May Keep Brains Younger, Study Suggests
Research indicates that bilingualism and multilingualism are associated with a reduced brain age, with greater benefits seen in those who learned languages earlier and achieved higher fluency.
The ability to speak multiple languages may contribute to a younger-appearing brain, according to new research presented at the 2026 Federation of European Neuroscience Societies Forum. The study, which analyzed brain activity and connectivity patterns in hundreds of participants in Spain's Basque region, suggests that individuals who are bilingual or multilingual exhibit a reduced brain age compared to monolingual individuals.
Researchers utilized artificial intelligence to estimate each participant's brain age. The findings indicated that bilingual participants had brains that appeared approximately six years younger than those of monolingual participants. This effect was more pronounced in individuals who spoke more languages: those speaking three languages had brains appearing about seven years younger, while the brains of four-language speakers appeared roughly 13 years younger.
The study also highlighted that the benefits were more significant for individuals who learned a second language earlier in life and achieved a high level of fluency. However, experts emphasize that it is not too late for adults to gain cognitive advantages from language learning.
Dr. Tommy Wood, a neuroscientist and author, noted that these findings align with previous research on the cognitive benefits of multilingualism. He stated that while many studies focus on individuals who grew up bilingual, adults who did not have such an upbringing can still experience positive effects. "There's no clear cutoff in age where learning a second language would no longer be beneficial," Wood said.
Several controlled trials have shown improvements in attention, working memory, and executive function in older adults after only a few months of language study. Beyond cognitive enhancements, learning a new language can also foster social engagement and improve the brain's capacity to acquire new information.
Wood encouraged aspiring language learners to embrace the learning process, including making mistakes. He explained that errors are a significant driver of neuroplasticity and learning. "If you do choose to learn a new language, get stuck in, challenge yourself and embrace the occasional failure. You'll actually learn faster as a result," he advised.
The researchers acknowledged certain limitations in their study. Although they controlled for factors such as age, sex, and education, they noted that other influences, including lifestyle and social engagement, could not be entirely ruled out as contributors to the observed effects.