Forget serums. This anti-aging hack actually works
Tanya Furness
I just read a study from scientists in Dublin that found people who speak more than one language tend to stay biologically younger than people who don’t.
People who spoke two or more languages had even lower biological age scores, and the effect increased with every extra language.
But how?
It turns out that switching between languages fires up the brain networks that control focus, memory, and self-discipline - like mental CrossFit.
Even more interestingly (for me), the study showed that constant switching and flexing not only keeps your brain sharp but also your body.
This kind of brain workout also lowers stress hormones, boosts your circulation, and keeps your cells working efficiently.
The net result was a slowing of the biological aging process itself.
(I think that’s wild)
It reminded me of the hotel *dance teacher we met on holiday.
He effortlessly darted between English, Italian, German and Spanish while he taught us salsa by the pool - cracking jokes as he went.
Impressive.
I guessed he was about 35.
He turned out to be in his mid-fifties.
Some researchers called this The Duolingo Effect.
Learning a language is ‘God Tier’ for this, but ANYTHING that makes your brain stretch and learn something new will give you the benefit.
Take a different route to work.
Brush your teeth with your other hand.
Read something you wouldn’t normally choose.
Learn to dance (double body benefits)
Try a new sport, instrument, or puzzle.
So, great data to say that staying young and healthy has less to do with polypeptide serums and more to do with staying curious. Hoorah.
p.s. Duolingo – an anti-aging serum that actually works. They should totally put that on their advertising
p.p.s if you want to know more about the study:
Published in Nature Aging (2025), scientists from Trinity College Dublin studied more than 86,000 adults across 27 European countries and found that multilingual people age more slowly than monolinguals (people who speak just their native tongue) .
The more languages they spoke, the greater the effect.
Read the study here:
*He was also known among the guests as ‘the one with the lovely bottom’, which may have been more to do with the Salsa dancing.
p.s. "Duolingo – an anti-aging serum that actually works." They should totally put that on their advertising
p.p.s if you want to know more about the study:
Published in Nature Aging (2025), scientists from Trinity College Dublin studied more than 86,000 adults across 27 European countries and found that multilingual people age more slowly than monolinguals (people who speak just their native tongue) .
The more languages they spoke, the greater the effect.
Read the study here: