Here is the English translation:
A large-scale new study published in the journal Nature has shown that knowing multiple languages (multilingualism) has a much broader and more positive impact on health than merely improving cognitive functions. The study results suggest that knowing a foreign language may add up to three years of healthy life to a person.
The research examined data from over 86,000 adults across 27 European countries. Scientists used the Biobehavioral Age Gap (BAG) metric, which measures an individual’s aging rate and is associated with health risk factors.
The study showed that people who know several languages are twice as protected against the risk of accelerated aging than individuals who know only one language. It was found that the more foreign languages a person knows, the more they are protected from accelerated aging. This protective effect becomes especially strong in older age groups.
Previous studies have long shown that knowing multiple languages improves brain functions such as concentration and memory.
This effect is linked to neuroplasticity. Studies of the brain structure in multilingual people show a greater density of grey matter in the brain regions responsible for cognitive functions.
As experts note, using multiple languages throughout life may be just as important as encouraging physical activity or quitting smoking.
