Unhealthy Diets Accelerate Biological Ageing, Study Finds
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Unhealthy Diets Accelerate Biological Ageing, Study Finds

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In young adults, biological ageing is accelerated by diets heavy in processed meat, fast food, and sugary drinks. Using epigenetic clocks, which monitor changes in gene regulation over time, researchers were able to determine biological age. Individuals who ate a diet high in fruits and vegetables exhibited reduced ageing, indicating that dietary decisions affect the rate at which the body ages.

The study also looked at genetic factors and discovered that the association between nutrition and ageing was largely influenced by shared DNA rather than early environment. Diet continued to be an independent predictor of ageing speed, even if other lifestyle factors including smoking and exercise also played a role.

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Important details

Diet and Ageing: A high consumption of fast food, processed meat, and sugar-filled beverages is associated with faster biological ageing.
Epigenetic Clocks: Gene-regulation-based computer models were used to evaluate biological ageing.

Genetic Influence: Diet’s effect on ageing was affected by shared genetics rather than the environment of childhood.

Source: Jyväskylä University

The biological ageing of humans does not necessarily correspond to their chronological age. Higher mortality and disease risks have been associated with faster biological ageing as opposed to chronological age. A recent study found that even in young adulthood, a diet heavy in red meat, fast food, and sugar-sweetened soft drinks and low in fruits and vegetables was linked to faster biological ageing.

On the other hand, slower biological ageing was linked to diets high in fruits and vegetables and low in meat, fast food, and sugary soft drinks. According to postdoctoral researcher Suvi Ravi, “both healthy and unhealthy lifestyle habits tend to cluster in the same individuals, so some of the observed associations may also be explained by other lifestyle factors, such as physical activity, smoking, and body weight.”

The study is a component of the Juho Vainio Foundation-funded research project “The role of nutrition in the prevention of common diseases.” Data from the FinnTwin12 study were used in this sub-study. 363 pairs of twins and 826 single twins took part in the study. A meal frequency questionnaire was used to measure diet, asking individuals to rate how often they typically consumed 55 different foods. 

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