Want to Stay Sharp as You Age? Discover the Cognitive Power of Multilingualism This Year

    A new study reveals that speaking more than one language can help protect against accelerated aging, offering new hope for keeping the mind younger, longer.

    Hello in different languages. Speech bubble cloud with handwritten words.
    Multilingual adults were shown to age more slowly than monolinguals, a major European study reveals.

    Language shapes how we experience the world and connect with others. For some, picking up a new language is a hobby; for others, it’s a lifelong passion. But science is revealing another reason to start learning: it may be the key to a healthier, more resilient brain.

    Multilingualism: A Hidden Shield Against Cognitive Aging

    A large-scale study published in Nature Aging found that adults who speak multiple languages are less likely to experience accelerated cognitive aging. Researchers analyzed data from more than 86,000 adults, ages 51 to 90, across 27 European countries.

    "Just one additional language reduces the risk of accelerated ageing," said study co-author Agustín Ibáñez, a neuroscientist at Adolfo Ibáñez University in Chile.

    Using national surveys, they explored the link between the number of languages spoken and each participant’s “biobehavioral age gap”—a measure comparing actual age to biological indicators of aging.

    People taking classes at language school.
    The study found that just one additional language can significantly reduce the risk of rapid biological aging.

    The results were striking: people who spoke only one language were twice as likely to show signs of rapid biological aging compared to their multilingual peers. The protective effect grew even stronger with each additional language spoken.

    Behind the Research: A Massive European Study on Brain Health

    To get these results, the research team used a computational approach to combine health, lifestyle, and socioeconomic data from participants across Europe. The team looked at positive factors like cognitive ability and education, as well as risks such as chronic illness and sensory impairment.

    Crucially, they adjusted for factors that could cloud the findings—like immigration status and wealth—making this one of the most robust studies on multilingualism and aging to date.

    Their findings remained strong even after accounting for these variables, suggesting that language skills themselves have a powerful role in slowing the pace of biological aging. The study also highlighted that multilingualism’s protective benefits are relevant across different backgrounds and education levels.

    A Global Push for Language Learning

    Experts believe these discoveries could inspire new policies to promote language learning in schools and communities. The authors hope their research will encourage people of all ages to take up another language or keep their skills fresh.

    As cognitive psychologist Susan Teubner-Rhodes points out, the sheer scale and diversity of this study bring new clarity to an often-debated topic.

    The researchers say future studies should expand beyond Europe to test the benefits of multilingualism worldwide. In the meantime, their work adds to growing evidence that learning a new language is not only good for cultural connection—it might also be one of the best things you can do for your brain’s health as you age.

    News References:

    Amoruso, L. et al. (2025). Nature Aging. https://doi.org/10.1038/s43587-025-01000-2
    Kavanagh, K. (2025). "Want a younger brain? Learn another language." Nature News. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-03677-2