Multilingualism and Healthy Lifestyle Traits Associated with Slower Aging

Research highlights several factors linked to healthier aging. One article outlines four common characteristics of long-lived individuals over 60: consistent, restorative sleep; absence of chronic joint or limb pain; stable digestive health and appetite; and overall physical vitality that reduces reliance on medication and hospital visits.

A separate large-scale study of more than 86,000 adults aged 51 to 90 across 27 European nations found that speaking multiple languages can significantly slow brain aging. Participants who were bilingual showed brain structures appearing up to six years younger than monolingual peers, with the effect increasing to seven years for trilingual speakers and up to 13 years for those using four languages. Multilingualism was associated with greater volume in memory-related brain regions and reduced risk of neurodegenerative decline, complementing other healthy habits such as non‑smoking, balanced diet, and regular exercise.