A person’s actual age and their body’s biological age can be different. Some people age faster than their years, while others stay younger on the inside.
Scientists measure this difference using “epigenetic clocks,” which analyze chemical markers on genes to estimate biological age. These markers, called methyl groups, influence how genes work and change as people age.
A new study from the University of Jyväskylä and the Gerontology Research Center looked at whether diet affects how quickly young adults age biologically. The study focused on twins between the ages of 20 and 25 and was published in the journal Clinical Nutrition.
What the Study Found
The study found that diet is linked to how fast or slow a person ages at a biological level. Participants who ate fewer fruits and vegetables but consumed a lot of red and processed meat, fast food, and sugary soft drinks showed signs of faster biological aging.
On the other hand, those who ate more fruits and vegetables while limiting their intake of meat, fast food, and sugary drinks aged more slowly.
Dr. Suvi Ravi, a researcher in the study, pointed out that other lifestyle habits, such as exercise, smoking, and body weight, could also play a role in aging.
People who eat healthy diets often have other good habits, while those with unhealthy diets may also smoke or be less physically active. However, even after accounting for these other factors, diet still had an independent effect on aging.
Genetics and Aging
Since the study involved twins, the researchers were able to explore the role of genetics in the link between diet and aging. The findings suggest that shared genes, rather than a shared childhood environment, explain why diet is related to aging. This means that genetics may influence both a person’s eating habits and how their body ages.
Even though genetics play a role, Dr. Ravi emphasized that eating a healthy diet can still benefit everyone. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables and lower in unhealthy foods can contribute to better overall health, regardless of a person’s genetic background.
What This Means for You
This study adds to growing evidence that diet plays a key role in how our bodies age. While genetics influence aging, making better food choices can help slow down biological aging. Eating more fruits and vegetables and cutting down on processed foods, sugary drinks, and fast food may help keep the body younger and healthier over time.
More research is needed to fully understand the long-term effects of diet on aging. However, these findings suggest that small dietary changes can make a difference in how we age, even in young adulthood.
If you care about nutrition, please read studies about the best time to take vitamins to prevent heart disease, and vitamin D supplements strongly reduce cancer death.
For more information about nutrition, please see recent studies about plant nutrient that could help reduce high blood pressure, and these antioxidants could help reduce dementia risk.
The research findings can be found in Clinical Nutrition.
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