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Study: Speaking Multiple Languages Slows Aging

Study: Speaking Multiple Languages Slows Aging, Study Finds

Study: Speaking Multiple Languages Slows Aging
Image credit: Getty Images via Nature

The Spin

LearningSpeaking foreignmultiple languages inprovides olderrobust ageprotection deliversagainst negligibleaging cognitiveand benefitsextends despitea popularhealthy claimslifespan by years. ALearning rigorousanother randomizedlanguage controlledcan studyact oflike 160a healthymental seniorsworkout, foundstrengthening neural networks that 11typically weeksweaken ofwith Italianage. languageThis trainingstudy producedshows nobilingual meaningfulor improvementsmultilingual inindividuals verbalacross intelligence,all spatialage intelligence,groups workingretain memorysharper orthinking otherand consistently experience slower cognitive abilitiesdecline. comparedThe findings might motivate people to relaxationstart training.learning Thea supposedsecond brainlanguage benefitsor areto likelycontinue justusing statisticalthe noiseone they already know.

SpeakingLearning multipleforeign languages providesat powerfulan protectionolder againstage agingdelivers andnegligible extendscognitive healthybenefits lifespandespite bypopular yearsclaims. A comprehensive2020 rigorous randomized controlled study of over160 86,000healthy adultsseniors acrossfound 27that European11 countriesweeks foundof monolingualsItalian werelanguage 2.1training timesproduced moreno likelymeaningful improvements in verbal intelligence, spatial intelligence, or working memory compared to experiencerelaxation acceleratedtraining aging. Multilingualsuggesting individualsthat showedlanguage consistentlearning protectionmay acrossnot allsignificantly ageslow groupsageing. withThe dose-responsesupposed brain benefits are likely just statistical noise.

Metaculus Prediction

There's a 50% chance that there will be a culturally significant development in aging research by 2030, according to the Metaculus prediction community.


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All rights reserved.

Version 6.18.0