The risk of dementia rises as the brain ages. One reason is that connections between brain cells weaken over time. Diseases of the brain, such as Alzheimer’s and stroke, can speed this up, eventually leading to dementia, a loss of mental abilities and a loss of independence.

Scientists can now estimate a person’s brain age from brain scans, and compare it with their actual age. This difference, known as the brain-age gap, can predict who is more likely to see faster mental decline and go on to develop dementia. One study followed around 39,000 people and found exactly that link. The good news is that lifestyle changes – stopping smoking, drinking less alcohol and exercising regularly – can slow this decline.

But what about learning another language? Could that help keep the brain younger for longer and delay dementia?

Preliminary findings presented at a recent scientific conference suggested that people who speak more languages tend to have younger brains. Speaking two languages was linked to a six-year delay in brain ageing, and speaking four languages was linked to a delay of up to 13 years.

A separate study of more than 86,000 people across 27 European countries found that people who spoke only one language were more than twice as likely to show faster brain ageing. Speaking two languages cut that risk by 30%, according to the findings.

The theory is that learning languages builds what scientists call brain reserve – extra connections between nerve cells that help the brain withstand the damage caused by ageing and disease.

But the picture may not be so simple. It could depend on how the research is done, who is being studied, and why someone speaks more than one language in the first place.

Delayed diagnosis, not lower risk

When researchers combined the results of several studies, they found that speaking more than one language didn’t actually lower a person’s risk of developing dementia. What it did do was delay diagnosis by two to five years.

One explanation is that learning another language builds vocabulary and problem-solving skills, which may help hide the early signs of dementia rather than prevent the disease itself.

There’s another complication. Most studies on this topic have focused on white, middle-class people in the US and Europe – people who often grew up speaking several languages thanks to a good education and supportive parents.

This same group is also more likely to do other things that protect the brain, such as reading for pleasure, playing sport or learning a musical instrument, all of which have been linked to a lower risk of dementia.

There’s also a chicken-and-egg problem. People with good memories for words and language rules – and the support and motivation to use them – may simply be more likely to become multilingual in the first place.

And being middle class generally means a healthier lifestyle: better food, better healthcare, more time for leisure and less stress – all of which reduce dementia risk on their own.

Why migrants don’t fit the pattern

If speaking multiple languages were simply protective, you’d expect migrants – who often need to learn a new language – to have a lower dementia risk. In fact, the opposite is true. Several studies have found migrants face a higher risk.

The reasons are complicated. Poor health, social isolation and depression, particularly among migrant women, may all play a part, sometimes linked to limited language skills stemming from a lack of education.

This suggests that being able to communicate well enough to express your needs and get support may matter more than simply speaking another language.

Indonesia has the largest multilingual population in the world, with more than 200 million people speaking more than one language. Yet dementia rates in some parts of the country are double those in wealthier western nations, according to research my colleagues and I conducted.

This is especially true in poorer rural areas with low levels of education, and among women. But even there, staying socially active and exercising reduced dementia risk.

If the brain reserve theory holds up, learning a language later in life could help the brain form new connections and cope better with ageing. The process also increases blood flow – and with it, oxygen and nutrients – to the parts of the brain being used. This fits with the “use it or lose it” idea, that the brain works a bit like a muscle.

As dementia takes hold, people often lose their weaker, second language first. That would explain why its protective effect on the brain fades and why diagnosis is often delayed rather than prevented.

To really test whether learning a language protects the brain, we need studies that compare older people who learn a new language with those who don’t. So far, this kind of research has produced mixed results. About half of the studies found no effect on cognition.

As with most dementia research, one thing is clear: no single habit – including learning a language – is likely to be the deciding factor in whether someone develops the condition.

Jude Bellingham fought back tears as he was comforted by family and friends after England‘s World Cup campaign came to an end with a defeat to Argentina in Atlanta on Wednesday.

Bellingham, arguably England’s standout player of the tournament, was unable to reproduce the heroics that inspired victory over Norway as the Three Lions fell to a 2-1 defeat against the defending world champions.

Anthony Gordon had given England the lead before Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez struck late on to book Argentina’s place in Sunday’s showpiece at the New York-New Jersey Stadium.

Long after the final whistle, and following a feisty confrontation with Argentina substitute Valentin Barco, Bellingham turned to his family for support. 

Footage showed the Real Madrid star embracing his father, Mark Bellingham, and mother, Denise Bellingham, while wiping away tears. His close friend and England team-mate Morgan Rogers was also seen hugging his parents.

The 23-year-old was also spotted sitting alongside his girlfriend, Ashlyn Castro, 28, appearing visibly downcast by the afternoon’s events.

Bellingham was spotted sitting alongside his girlfriend, Ashlyn Castro, 28, appearing visibly downcast by the afternoon’s events

The pair were joined by Bellingham’s father, Mark, and his mother, Denise in the stands after the final whistle

It was a change in mood from what had preceded it, with Bellingham having become embroiled in a heated altercation with Barco in the moments after the final whistle.

Bellingham slapped the young Strasbourg player’s head from behind, sparking a brief melee involving players from both sides.

It remains unclear what triggered the reaction from the Real Madrid midfielder, though footage has circulated showing Barco running onto the pitch after Fernandez’s 85th-minute equaliser and celebrating in front of the England players rather than joining his team-mates by the corner flag.

Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson, commentating for BBC Radio 5 Live, described Barco’s actions as ‘probably the worst example of sportsmanship we’ve seen at this World Cup’.

Barco, 21, plays for French side Strasbourg and previously spent time at Brighton. He is reportedly set to join Chelsea ahead of the upcoming Premier League season.

The Argentine has featured just once at the tournament, coming off the bench in the second half of his side’s 3-1 group-stage victory over Jordan.

The match itself was incredibly attritional, with 19 fouls committed in the first half, as American referee Ismail Elfath struggled to keep a lid on things.

In the very first minute, Alexis Mac Allister set the tone for what was about to unfold, flooring Elliot Anderson just 19 seconds after the first whistle. 

A few minutes later, Bellingham appeared to confront Messi for another foul on Anderson.

‘We were really just discussing a foul, actually,’ Bellingham is reported to have said after the match.

‘It wasn’t anything bad. I’m sure everyone will do their thing and make it a big deal, but it was nothing.’

Bellingham became embroiled in a heated altercation with Argentina substitute Valentin Barco in the moments after the final whistle

‘I wish I could say more. I wish I could give one more win or two more wins. But at the moment I’m kind of – my head’s a bit fuzzy with disappointment,’ he said in his post-match interview

As for his post-match assessment, Bellingham said: ‘I think we can take a lot from the experience, but it’s so gutting.

‘I wanted to be a part of an England squad that had finally done it, finally got it over the line. And to be here telling the fans unfortunately the same things that they’ve probably heard for years and years, it’s really gutting.

‘I wish I could say more. I wish I could give one more win or two more wins. But at the moment I’m kind of – my head’s a bit fuzzy with disappointment.’

During the post-match celebrations, Argentina’s stars held aloft a banner that read: ‘The Malvinas (Falklands) are ours.’

That has led to calls for the players involved to face disciplinary action from FIFA.

Despite FIFA’s ban on political flags, Tottenham captain Romero, Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez and ex-Spurs midfielder Giovani Lo Celso celebrated with the controversial sign after the final whistle.

Captain and star player Messi was also seen dancing alongside the banner.

FIFA has yet to comment, but the governing body is under huge pressure to punish Argentina for flouting its rules. Manchester United and Spurs are being urged to punish Romero and Martinez.

Twelve years ago, the team carried the same banner at an international friendly and was fined just £20,000.

But there are growing calls for the players who carried the banner at a match of such magnitude – watched by an estimated 950 million people worldwide – to face tougher sanctions.

How much is David Beckham set to pocket from his World Cup brand deals? Take on our quiz in our newsletter HERE.

Supporters of Argentina in Buenos Aires revelled in their World Cup triumph against England, setting fire to flags and parading a coffin draped with the Union Jack across the capital’s streets.

The Wednesday evening encounter rekindled a long-standing rivalry that had lain quiet for 20 years, yet the reigning world champions pressed forward in their quest for a fourth World Cup title, shattering English hopes – much to their delight.

Building on tournament successes in 1986 and 1998, Argentina secured victory with an injury-time goal against the Three Lions. Lautaro Martinez nodded in the decisive strike after Anthony Gordon had put England ahead in the second period.

The heated fixture carried significant political undertones, with the Falklands War remaining a point of contention amongst South Americans. Argentine players have repeatedly alluded to it throughout the competition, and supporters at home took immense satisfaction in defeating England.

Amid the festivities in Buenos Aires, fans were seen torching English flags while a coffin covered in a Union Jack was paraded as thousands flooded the streets, reports the Mirror.

England manager Thomas Tuchel has faced substantial criticism for his tactical decisions, particularly after the Three Lions took the lead. The side shifted to a considerably more cautious strategy, with his substitutions bringing on several defenders in an attempt to preserve the result.

Lionel Messi’s impact intensified, and following Enzo Fernandez’s equaliser on 85 minutes, they continued to bombard the England goal before securing their winner in added time. The eight-time Ballon d’Or holder has his sights set on a second World Cup triumph, which would further solidify his legendary status.

He made reference to those back home in Argentina who are facing difficult times, expressing his hope that the victory brought them some happiness.

“We are proud and happy to be able to give this to the people, we know that the World Cups are special for us,” he said. “

We forget all the bad things we have to go through, there are people who have a hard time, who don’t have a job, who don’t make ends meet, it’s our life, what we’ve always had to deal with, it’s beautiful to be able to give this joy to them.”

He went on to add: “We Argentinians always demand more. If we had lost to England today, there would have been people saying stupid things, and we didn’t give them the chance… we knew that we were better than them at football, but it’s still special because of everything it means.”

Sign up to our free sports newsletter to get the latest headlines to your inbox

‘Unforeseen’ issues were found which means that the pool cannot open in 2026

A Cambridgeshire village paddling pool will not open this summer after a “safety risk” was discovered. Papworth Everard Parish Council announced on Tuesday (July 14) that the village paddling pool would not be opening for the 2026 summer season.

After the pool was cleaned and cleared, a full inspection was carried out. The inspector found issues with the base of the pool, after a fibreglass surface refurbishment in 2025.

A parish council spokesperson said the authority was “bitterly disappointed” that the pool couldn’t open for 2026. It added: “The inspection found fundamental issues with the base of the pool, which were unforeseen.

“We are in the process of undertaking a risk assessment and obtaining a second opinion; however, the recommendations from the inspection indicate that the damage presents a safety risk that cannot be remediated within a timeframe that would allow safe use of the pool this summer.”

The council will next conduct a full risk assessment and review the experts’ findings, recommendations, and financial implications. It will then look at the available options and determine the most appropriate long-term course of action.

Do you want more of the latest Cambridgeshire news as it comes in from across the county? Sign up to our dedicated newsletter to make sure you never miss a big story from Cambridge or anywhere else in the county. You can also sign up to our dedicated Traffic and Crime newsletters for the latest updates on the topics you are most interested in .