A new study published in JAMA Network Open has revealed a connection between high sugar consumption and accelerated biological aging. Researchers investigated the effects of diet and sugar intake on the epigenetic age of a diverse group of midlife women. They found that increased sugar consumption is associated with signs of faster epigenetic aging, while a higher-quality diet can slow down this process.
Epigenetic age refers to the biological age of cells, which can differ from chronological age. It reflects how behavioral and environmental factors, such as diet, affect “wear and tear” on the body at a cellular level. This is measured through epigenetic changes, like DNA methylation, which impact gene expression.
The study, involving 342 women split evenly between black and white participants, utilized the GrimAge2 epigenetic clock to assess dietary impacts. Results indicated that every increase in sugar intake correlated with a rise in epigenetic age, while adherence to healthier nutritional patterns was linked to slower epigenetic aging. Researchers emphasized that focusing on overall diet quality might provide the most significant health benefits. This research contributes to the expanding field of geroscience, which explores how diet, aging, and cellular health are interrelated.
Source:Healthline, August 2024
