Verbal fluency predicts longevity, new research indicates

A new study suggests that the ability to quickly recall words from a specific category may predict longevity. This finding could offer a simple test for assessing lifespan. Researchers found that older adults with strong verbal fluency lived nearly nine years longer than those struggling to name words. The study tracked 516 adults aged 70 and older for 18 years, revealing that verbal fluency was a better predictor of lifespan than memory or vocabulary. Participants were tested on various cognitive tasks, including naming animals and words starting with "s." Each additional animal named correlated with a 5.6% lower chance of death, highlighting verbal fluency's potential as a longevity indicator.