The secret that keeps the brain young has emerged! A striking difference among multilingual speakers

It emerged that speaking multiple languages may have a positive effect on brain aging. According to a new study, people who know more languages have brains that appear younger than their age, and the effect is more pronounced in those who learned a second language at an early age and use it at a higher level.

Researchers found that multilingualism could help counteract some brain changes that arise with aging.

"Brain Aging Clock" Created

In a study conducted by researchers from Spain, Chile, Argentina and Ireland, 728 people were examined.

The study included participants living in the Basque region of Spain who spoke between one and four languages using various combinations of Spanish, Basque, French and English.

Scientists used a special method to assess the participants' brain aging.

“Brain Aging Clock” Created

In the study, a “brain aging clock” was created to examine participants' brain activity. Researchers employed a method that detects the weak magnetic fields generated when brain cells are active.

The data obtained were later analyzed using artificial intelligence. This enabled the construction of a model describing how brain activity and connections should appear across different age groups.

Researchers evaluated the relationship between multilingualism and brain aging by comparing participants' actual ages with their estimated brain ages.

As the Number of Languages Increases, Brain Age Appears Younger

One striking finding in the study was that the difference in brain age grew larger as the number of spoken languages increased.

Brains of bilingual individuals appear about six years younger than those of monolinguals, while the gap for trilinguals rose to roughly seven years.

Brains of four‑language speakers were found to look about thirteen years younger than those of monolinguals.

Learning a Foreign Language Early Is Important

Researchers emphasized that the effect is not limited to the number of languages spoken.

Dr. Lucia Amoruso from the Bask Cognitive, Brain and Language Center said that brains of people who speak more languages appear younger than their chronological age would suggest.

According to Amoruso, learning a second language at an earlier age and achieving higher proficiency in it are also linked to delayed brain aging.

The researcher said that the effect of multilingualism is only“Being bilingual or not”By stating that it should not be evaluated merely as “being bilingual or not,” the researcher emphasized that the depth and duration of language experience are also important.

How Does Multilingualism Affect the Brain?

Scientists assess that using multiple languages may keep communication between different brain regions and cognitive processes continuously active, potentially playing a protective role against aging.

However, the study does not prove that multilingualism definitively rejuvenates the brain by a specific number of years. The findings show a relationship between language‑learning experience and a brain structure and activity that appears younger.

New results indicate that learning a foreign language may be important not only for communication but also for keeping the brain active throughout life.