Growing older is a natural part of life, but scientists are increasingly trying to understand why some people seem to age more slowly than others.
While healthy food, exercise, and avoiding smoking are well-known ways to protect health, researchers now believe that cultural and creative activities may also play an important role.
A new study from University College London has found that people who regularly enjoy arts and cultural activities may age more slowly at a biological level.
The findings were published in the journal Innovation in Aging and are based on data from more than 3,500 adults in the United Kingdom.
The researchers examined activities such as reading books, listening to music, visiting museums, attending galleries, and taking part in other cultural experiences.
People who engaged in these activities more often appeared to have younger biological ages and slower aging compared to people who rarely participated.
Scientists say this is important because biological aging is not always the same as chronological aging. Chronological age simply counts how many years someone has lived. Biological aging looks at how healthy and “young” the body appears internally.
Some people may be 60 years old chronologically but have the body health of someone much younger. Others may age faster because of illness, stress, smoking, or unhealthy lifestyles.
To measure biological aging, the researchers analyzed blood samples from participants and studied small chemical changes in their DNA.
These changes are known as DNA methylation. They do not change the DNA sequence itself but can affect how genes behave over time.
Scientists used advanced tests called epigenetic clocks to estimate both biological age and pace of aging.
The researchers discovered that people who took part in arts activities regularly showed slower aging on some of the newest and most advanced epigenetic tests.
The effects were especially strong in adults aged 40 and older.
One of the most surprising findings was that the benefits linked to arts engagement appeared similar to those linked to physical exercise.
According to the study, people who participated in arts and cultural activities at least once a week appeared to age about 4% more slowly than people who rarely participated.
This difference was almost identical to the benefit linked to exercising at least once a week.
Researchers also found that variety mattered. People who participated in several different arts activities seemed to benefit more than people who only engaged in one type of activity.
The scientists think this may happen because different creative activities affect the body and brain in different ways.
Reading may improve concentration and memory. Music may influence emotions and reduce stress. Museums and galleries may encourage learning, curiosity, and social interaction.
Researchers believe all these experiences may combine to support healthier aging.
Previous studies have already shown that arts activities may reduce stress hormones, lower inflammation, improve mood, and support heart health.
Chronic stress and inflammation are known to increase the risk of many age-related diseases, including heart disease and dementia.
The researchers carefully accounted for other important health factors such as smoking, body weight, education, and income. Even after adjusting for these differences, the connection between arts engagement and slower aging remained.
One of the strongest results came from two newer biological aging tools called DunedinPoAm and DunedinPACE.
These tools are designed to estimate how quickly the body is aging instead of simply estimating overall biological age.
People who participated in arts activities a few times per year appeared to age about 2% more slowly than those who rarely participated. Monthly participation was linked to about 3% slower aging, while weekly participation was associated with roughly 4% slower aging.
Another test called PhenoAge estimated that people who regularly engaged in arts activities appeared biologically about one year younger on average.
In comparison, regular exercise was linked to a biological age that was about half a year younger.
Not all the DNA-based aging tests showed benefits from arts engagement. Older epigenetic clocks did not find clear links.
Researchers explained that older testing methods may not be sensitive enough to capture subtle changes connected to healthy aging.
Professor Daisy Fancourt, one of the lead researchers, said the study supports the idea that arts and cultural engagement may deserve recognition as a genuine health-promoting behavior.
The researchers also stressed that the study cannot fully prove that arts activities directly slow aging.
It is possible that people who are already healthier, wealthier, or more socially active are also more likely to participate in cultural activities.
Still, the researchers believe the biological evidence makes the findings especially interesting.
Experts say future studies should explore whether certain arts activities are more beneficial than others and whether increasing arts participation could directly improve health outcomes.
The study also highlights a broader idea in medicine: health is influenced not only by diet and exercise but also by emotional, social, and intellectual experiences.
Simple activities that people enjoy every week may have much deeper effects on long-term health than scientists once realized.
If you care about wellness, please read studies about nutrients that could combat inflammation in older people, and essential foods for healthy aging.
For more health information, please see recent studies about the link between processed foods and chronic diseases, and a simple diet change for a healthier life after 65.
The research was published in Innovation in Aging.
