Speaking two or more languages may help slow brain aging, according to new research.The study, presented at the 2026 Federation of European Neuroscience Societies Forum, found that people who spoke multiple languages appeared to have younger brains than those who spoke only one language.Researchers analyzed brain activity from hundreds of people in Spain's Basque region who spoke between one and four languages, including Spanish, Basque, French and English.They used artificial intelligence to estimate each participant's "brain age" based on patterns of brain connectivity.COMMON VITAMIN MAY INFLUENCE BRAIN AGING IN WAYS SCIENTISTS DIDN'T EXPECTThe researchers found that bilingual participants had brains that appeared about six years younger than those of monolingual participants.
People who spoke three languages had brains that appeared about seven years younger, while those who spoke four languages had brains that appeared roughly 13 years younger.The findings also suggested that people who learned a second language earlier in life and became highly fluent experienced greater benefits.Speaking more than one language could help keep the brain younger as people age, according to new research.(iStock)Dr.
Tommy Wood, a neuroscientist, performance consultant and author of "The Stimulated Mind: Future-Proof Your Brain from Dementia and Stay Sharp at Any Age," said the findings support earlier research showing that speaking multiple languages may help protect cognitive function as people age.CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES"Most of the evidence for the benefit of learning multiple languages comes from individuals who grew up bilingual or learned multiple languages in childhood," Wood, who was not involved in the research, told Fox News Digital.He said adults who didn't grow up speaking more than one language should not assume it's too late to benefit.Researchers analyzed brain activity from hundreds of people who spoke between one and four languages, using artificial i...