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Speaking Multiple Languages Linked to Slower Biological Aging in Major European Study

AI aging clocks on 86,149 Europeans indicate cumulative benefits for multilinguals, with causation not established.

Overview

  • Nature Aging published the peer-reviewed analysis of 86,149 adults across 27 European countries using AI-derived biobehavioral age gaps.
  • Multilingual participants were 2.17 times less likely to show accelerated aging, whereas monolinguals were roughly twice as likely to display early aging patterns.
  • Protective associations appeared in both cross-sectional assessments and longitudinal tracking over time.
  • Effects remained significant after adjusting for linguistic, social, physical and sociopolitical factors, strengthening confidence in the association without proving cause and effect.
  • The study reports greater protection with each additional language and calls for longitudinal and intervention trials, while noting potential public-health value in promoting language learning.