Speaking multiple languages may help slow brain aging, according to new research presented at the 2026 Federation of European Neuroscience Societies Forum.
Researchers analyzed brain activity from hundreds of people in Spain's Basque region. They used artificial intelligence to estimate each participant's "brain age" based on patterns of brain connectivity.
The study found that bilingual participants had brains that appeared about six years younger than monolingual individuals. Those who spoke three languages appeared about seven years younger, while quadrilingual participants showed brains roughly 13 years younger.
Findings also suggested that learning a second language earlier in life and achieving high fluency led to greater benefits.
Dr. Tommy Wood, a neuroscientist and author of "The Stimulated Mind," said the findings support earlier research. He noted that adults who did not grow up multilingual should not assume it is too late to benefit.
"There's no clear cutoff in age where learning a second language would no longer be beneficial," Wood told Fox News Digital.
He cited randomized controlled trials showing improvements in attention, working memory, and executive function in older adults after just a few months of language learning.
Beyond cognitive benefits, Wood said learning a new language promotes social engagement and strengthens the brain's ability to absorb new information.
He encouraged adults to embrace the learning process, including mistakes. "Making mistakes is one of the biggest drivers of neuroplasticity and learning," Wood said.
The researchers acknowledged limitations, noting they could not rule out the influence of other lifestyle and social factors.