Key points from article :
A new study suggests that following a vegan diet could potentially slow down the ageing process. Researchers compared the diets of identical twins, with one twin adopting a vegan lifestyle and the other continuing to eat a regular diet with meat, eggs, and dairy.
Our DNA can carry markers that indicate biological age, which can differ from chronological age. The study focused on measuring changes in DNA methylation, a process linked to ageing.
After just eight weeks, those on the vegan diet showed signs of slower biological ageing compared to their twin eating a regular diet. Notably, the vegan group experienced a significant reduction in biological age markers related to inflammation, heart health, liver function, metabolism, and hormone balance. This suggests that a plant-based diet may influence how our bodies age at a cellular level. While the study did not find significant changes in telomere length (often seen as a marker of ageing), the observed improvements in other biological age markers suggest potential benefits for overall health and longevity.
It is important to note that this study was relatively short-term and involved a small group of people. More research is needed to confirm these findings over a longer period. Additionally, ensuring a balanced vegan diet is crucial to avoid nutritional deficiencies. Despite these limitations, the study provides promising evidence that dietary choices could play a significant role in ageing and overall health.
Research by Stanford University and TruDiagnostic, published in BMC Medicine.
