Are there words that can add years to your lifespan?

 

Hey there, Could Your Words Predict How Long You’ll Live? Maybe. Really. We all know people who seem to defy age. People who are still laughing with sharp wit at 90, beating everyone at trivia at 100, or still writing letters with sprawling vocab. What if the way you use language is more than just personality or charm? What if it’s connected to how long you live? New research says it might be. This isn’t fairy-tale stuff. Serious science. And the results are more intriguing, and more practical, than you might expect. Researchers led by Paolo Ghisletta from the University of Geneva dove into data from the Berlin Aging Study, one of the most comprehensive long-term data sets on aging ever collected. What did they look at? Let’s break it down: 516 people, aged 70 to 105, followed until they passed away. A whole bunch of physical and mental measures, including things like stress, dental health, economic well-being — and cognitive skills. Nine cognitive tests covering different aspects of thinking like verbal fluency e.g., how many animals someone can name in 90 seconds, perceptual speed e.g., how quickly someone processes visual patterns, verbal knowledge e.g., vocabulary and word knowledge and episodic memory e.g., recalling personal memories. This is the kind of data set researchers only dream of: decades of measured, tracked, real-life aging. And here’s the kicker: Of all the cognitive traits tested, verbal fluency, so how easily and quickly people can access and use words, was the strongest predictor of how long someone lived. Not memory, not processing speed, not vocabulary knowledge alone but fluency itself. In plain language: participants who could quickly pull words from their minds and use them fluently tended to live longer. So why might language skills be linked to longevity? It’s a good question, and the researchers don’t claim to have a magic answer. But here are the leading ideas: Language Skills Reflect Overall Brain Health Verbal fluency isn’t just about vocabulary. It taps: Memory. Mental flexibility. Attention. Processing speed. Executive function. So verbal fluency may act like a “canary in the cognitive coal mine”. If fluency is strong, other systems may be too. Mind and Body Decline Together Our brains, emotions, and bodies aren’t separate. They age as a system. If one part starts to slow, others often follow. Strong verbal fluency could be a sign of robust overall functioning. Language Connects to Social Life We don’t know this from the study directly, but common sense and other research tell us social engagement like conversations, relationships, and community really matters for longer, healthier lives. Language fluency helps with that. So it’s not that words directly make you live longer but that strong language use signals a healthy brain and life. Okay, so why does this research matter? Let’s be clear: this research doesn’t say “talking more makes you immortal.” But it does suggest that: Simple verbal tasks might one day help doctors assess aging risk. Cognitive health, especially fluent language use, is worth caring about. Aging isn’t just about biology; it’s deeply tied to how our minds work. And that’s a powerful message. And, If you like actionable science, here’s what you can actually do with this: Keep Talking (Seriously) Chat with friends and family. Join group discussions. Play word games and trivia. Conversation isn’t frivolous. It keeps neural circuits active. Challenge Your Brain With Words Crossword puzzles. Word association games. Apps like Wordle or Scrabble. Push your verbal fluency muscles regularly. Read Widely, Talk About It Reading exposes you to new words and ideas, and then using those words in conversation amplifies that effect. Stay Socially Connected Language flourishes in company. The more you engage, the more chances your brain gets to exercise flexibly. Make It a Habit Just like physical exercise, consistency matters. A few minutes a day of active language use beats an hour once a month. Overall, this research doesn’t just tell us something cool about words. It nudges us toward a deeper truth: thinking, communicating, and connecting are part of what keeps us alive and thriving. And that’s a hopeful thought. Even as our bodies age, our minds, and the way we use them, can remain active, vibrant, and meaningful. So next time you’re in a lively chat, a book club, or even a heated debate about what counts as a "vegetable or fruit” in good company, don’t just enjoy it. Think of it as exercise for the kind of thinking that helps you live long and well.

Yours in good health, Andrew Peloquin Editor-in-chief, The Longevity Journal