New Research Finds Simple Habits May Slow Down Biological Ageing

As we get older, many of us look for ways to stay healthy and feel younger. Recently, scientists have been studying the factors that influence our biological age—a measure of how our cells and organs are ageing, which can be different from our actual age in years. Two new studies have provided interesting insights into how our daily diet and our hobbies might help us age more slowly.

One study, presented at the European Congress on Obesity in Istanbul, looked at the connection between diet and the health of our DNA. Researchers from the University of Navarra in Spain focused on telomeres, which are the protective caps at the ends of our DNA. When these caps become too short, it can lead to cell death and a higher risk of diseases like cancer, diabetes, and heart problems. The researchers studied over 1,700 adults and found that people who ate the most polyphenols—natural compounds found in many plant-based foods—had a 52% lower risk of having short telomeres.

According to The Guardian Health, the study suggests that small, daily habits matter. For example, drinking just one cup of coffee a day was linked to a 26% lower risk, while eating four to five servings of fruit daily was associated with a 29% lower risk. Isabella Kury Guzmán, the lead author of the study, explained that there is no single "anti-ageing" food. Instead, she noted that healthier ageing is the result of the total effect of our everyday dietary choices. However, some experts urge caution. Gunter Kuhnle, a professor of nutrition at the University of Reading, noted that it is difficult to know if the benefits come specifically from polyphenols or simply from the fact that people who eat more fruit and vegetables generally have a healthier diet overall.

While diet is important, our lifestyle choices beyond the kitchen may also play a role. A separate study from University College London (UCL), published in the journal Innovation in Aging, found that engaging in arts and culture can slow the pace of biological ageing. The researchers looked at data from over 3,500 adults, tracking how often they participated in activities like singing, painting, or visiting museums and galleries. The results showed that people who took part in these activities at least once a week were, on average, a year younger biologically than those who rarely engaged in such pursuits.

Prof Daisy Fancourt, the lead author of the UCL research, stated that these findings show the health impact of the arts at a biological level. She suggested that arts and cultural engagement should be recognized as a health-promoting behavior, similar to exercise. In fact, the study found that the benefit of regular arts engagement was quite dramatic, comparable to the difference between someone who smokes and someone who has successfully quit. Dr Feifei Bu, a senior author of the study, added that these activities help reduce stress and lower inflammation, which are key factors in keeping the body healthy as it ages.

It is important to note that "slower ageing" does not necessarily mean that a person will live longer. The researchers used "epigenetic clocks," which are tools that help scientists predict future health risks and mortality. While these tools show that arts engagement is linked to a slower pace of ageing, more research is needed to prove that these activities directly cause a longer lifespan. Nevertheless, the study adds to a growing body of evidence that creative activities are vital for a flourishing, healthy life.

These findings offer a hopeful message: we may have more power over our biological health than we previously thought. Whether it is by adding more fruit to our breakfast, enjoying a cup of coffee, or making time for a creative hobby, these small actions could help us stay healthier for longer. As Hollie Smith-Charles from Arts Council England noted, these results demonstrate how important it is for everyone to have access to culture and healthy food in their daily lives. By combining a balanced diet with an active, creative lifestyle, we may be able to support our bodies in aging in the best way possible.