Overview
- Nature Aging published an analysis of health data from more than 86,000 adults in 27 European countries.
- Regular users of multiple languages were less likely to show accelerated aging based on a composite of physical, cognitive and social measures.
- The association displayed a dose–response pattern, with each additional language linked to a stronger protective effect.
- Findings persisted after adjustments for education, income, physical activity, air quality and other potential confounders.
- Experts point to cognitive reserve as a plausible explanation, and the team will test the roles of age of acquisition, proficiency and late-life learning, as some caution that starting in retirement may not yield the same benefit.