A recent study explored the connections between diet quality and biological aging using advanced epigenetic clocks. The research, involving 826 young adults, indicates that diets rich in fast food, processed red meat, and soda, but low in fruits and vegetables, may accelerate biological aging. Conversely, diets abundant in fruits and vegetables with minimal processed red meat and sodas may correlate with slower biological aging.
Biological age differs from chronological age, which is simply the number of years since birth. Biological age assesses how well someone is aging. The study employed two methods: GrimAge and DunedinPACE. GrimAge estimates the difference between chronological and biological age to predict lifespan, while DunedinPACE measures the pace of aging, estimating biological years per chronological year. Both methods utilize epigenetic clocks, which analyze DNA methylation affecting gene activity.
Epigenetic changes, particularly DNA methylation, accumulate over a lifetime due to factors like diet. These changes can switch genes "off" or "on" without altering the genetic code. Methylation is the most common epigenetic change, generally turning genes "off." By examining methylation in specific cells or tissues, epigenetic clocks estimate biological age.
The study, published in the Journal of Clinical Nutrition, highlights that dietary patterns significantly impact biological aging. The authors noted, "In general, diets emphasizing higher consumption of fruits and vegetables and lower intakes of meat, fast food, and sugar-sweetened beverages were associated with slower biological aging." In contrast, diets low in fruits and vegetables but high in meat, fast food, and sugar-sweetened beverages were linked to faster biological aging.
Additional analyses considered variables like BMI, energy intake, physical activity, alcohol intake, and smoking, which clarified the relationship between diet and biological aging. Regular exercise might partially offset the effects of a poorer diet. Researchers suggest that these findings align with previous studies on diet and epigenetic modifications, emphasizing the lasting impact of dietary choices.
Epigenetic clocks, though promising, have limitations. They are trained on specific populations, and methylation patterns can vary by ethnicity. Replication studies using models tailored to different populations could enhance accuracy. Despite limitations, current epigenetic clocks are valuable tools for identifying biological aging trends at the population level.
Source: Medical News Today