Key points from article :
A recent study led by researchers at the University of Jyväskylä and the Gerontology Research Center highlights how dietary choices can influence the rate of biological ageing, even in young adults aged 20 to 25. Using epigenetic clocks—advanced tools that measure biological age by tracking changes in gene regulation—the study found that diets high in processed meat, fast food, and sugary drinks were associated with faster biological ageing. On the other hand, diets rich in fruits and vegetables appeared to slow the ageing process, underscoring the long-term importance of healthy eating habits.
The research, involving over 800 individual twins and 363 twin pairs, revealed that shared genetics, rather than a shared childhood environment, largely explains the relationship between diet and ageing. However, diet retained an independent influence even after accounting for other factors like exercise, smoking, and body weight. This suggests that while lifestyle habits often cluster together, healthy eating has its own direct impact on biological ageing.
According to Suvi Ravi, a postdoctoral researcher and principal investigator of the study, a balanced diet can benefit everyone, regardless of genetic predisposition. Ravi works within the GenActive research group, which investigates genetic and lifestyle factors affecting health and ageing, under the leadership of Elina Sillanpää, an Associate Professor of Health Promotion. The findings are part of a larger project funded by the Juho Vainio Foundation, exploring how nutrition can help prevent common diseases.
