Speaking Multiple Languages May Significantly Slow Brain Aging, Study Finds
Research suggests that the more languages a person speaks, the younger their brain may appear.
Speaking two or more languages could help slow brain aging, according to new research presented at the 2026 Federation of European Neuroscience Societies Forum. The study indicates that individuals who are multilingual appear to have younger brains compared to those who speak only one language.
Researchers utilized artificial intelligence to estimate participants' "brain age" by analyzing brain connectivity patterns. The study involved hundreds of individuals from Spain's Basque region who spoke between one and four languages, including Spanish, Basque, French, and English.
Participants who were bilingual showed brains that appeared approximately six years younger than monolingual individuals. Those who spoke three languages had brains that seemed about seven years younger, while speakers of four languages exhibited brains that appeared roughly 13 years younger.
The findings also suggest that the benefits are greater for those who learned a second language earlier in life and achieved high fluency. Experts note that even adults who did not grow up speaking multiple languages can still experience benefits from learning a new language.
Dr. Tommy Wood, a neuroscientist not involved in the research, stated that these findings align with previous studies indicating that multilingualism may protect cognitive function as individuals age. He pointed to randomized controlled trials in older adults that demonstrated improvements in attention, working memory, and executive function after a few months of language learning.
Beyond cognitive benefits, learning a new language can also foster social engagement and enhance the brain's capacity to absorb new information. Wood encouraged new language learners to embrace the learning process, emphasizing that making mistakes is a key driver of neuroplasticity and learning.
The study's authors acknowledged certain limitations, noting that while factors like age, sex, and education were considered, the influence of other variables such as lifestyle and social engagement could not be entirely ruled out.