What factors might delay aging?

Aging trajectories are influenced by modifiable risk factors, and prior evidence has hinted that mult-ilingualism may have protective potential. However, reliance on suboptimal health markers, small samples, inadequate confounder control and a focus on clinical cohorts led to mixed findings and limited applicability to healthy populations.

With this analysis, researchers developed biobehavioral age gaps, quantifying delayed or accelerated aging in 86,149 participants across 27 European countries. National surveys provided individual-level positive (functional ability, education, cognition) and adverse (cardiometabolic conditions, female sex, sensory impairments) factors, while country-level multi-lingualism served as an aggregate exposure.

Biobehavioral factors predicted age (R² = 0.24, r = 0.49, root mean squared error = 8.61), with positive factors linked to delayed aging and adverse factors to accelerated aging. Multi-lingualism emerged as a protective factor in cross-sectional (odds ratio = 0.46) and longitudinal (relative risk = 0.70) analyses. Mono-lingualism increased risk of accelerated aging (odds ratio = 2.11; relative risk = 1.43). The effects persisted after adjusting for linguistic, physical, social and sociopolitical exposomes.

The authors concluded that these results underscore the protective role of multi-lingualism and its broad applicability for global health initiatives.

Research into aging is understandably active. Thus plenty of factors have been idenfified that might slow down the process. Here is a quick summary.

Factors That Delay Aging

• Healthy Diet: Consuming a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, legumes, fish, and lean proteins, while limiting red and processed meats, saturated fats, and added sugars.
• Calorie restriction: reducing total calorie intake while maintaining nutrient density, and intermittent fasting have shown promise in promoting longevity in some studies.
• Regular Physical Activity: Engaging in moderate to vigorous physical activity (e.g., brisk walking, strength training) consistently. This helps preserve muscle mass, bone density, and cardiovascular function.
• Maintaining a Healthy Weight: Avoiding obesity and excessive body fat reduces strain on organs and limits chronic inflammation.
• Optimal Cardiovascular Health: Actively managing and maintaining healthy blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels.
• Quitting Smoking/Avoiding Tobacco Use: Completely abstaining from all forms of tobacco.
• Moderate Alcohol Consumption: Limiting alcohol intake or abstaining altogether.
• Quality Sleep: Getting sufficient, restorative sleep (typically 7-9 hours per night) with a consistent sleep schedule.
• Stress Management: Utilizing techniques like meditation or therapy to effectively manage stress and anxiety.
• Strong Social Connections: Nurturing healthy relationships and avoiding loneliness, which is linked to chronic stress.
• Life Purpose/Mental Stimulation: Having a sense of meaning or purpose and engaging in activities that challenge the brain (e.g., learning new skills).
• So-called alternative medicine (SCAM)? The evidence is mixed and often unconvincing. The most effective SCAMs for delaying aging might be a healthy lifestyle, the use dietary supplements based on sound evidence, as well as relaxation therapies where appropriate.

As you see, multi-lingualism, as suggested by the above paper, does not even feature in the list. Yet, the concept of cognitive reserve can explain why two people with similar age-related brain changes (like volume loss or plaque buildup) can have different cognitive abilities and patterns of aging. A higher cognitive reserve acts as a buffer against aging; specifically it can:

• Build Cognitive Reserve: Engaging in intellectually challenging activities throughout life, such as higher education, complex occupations, and continuous learning, creates a more resilient and flexible network of neural pathways. This reserve allows the brain to compensate for damage and maintain function longer.
• Promote Neuroplasticity: Learning new, complex skills—like another language, playing a musical instrument, or taking challenging courses—stimulates the creation of new neural connections and enhances neuroplasticity.
• Reduce Risk of Cognitive Decline: High levels of mental engagement lowers the risk of cognitive decline in older age.

So, the new study adds to and affirms the already existing knowledge: speaking several languages is likely to slow the aging process that we are all facing – a finding that, I have to admit, suits me fine!