Recent research highlights the impact of dietary changes on biological aging, even later in life. A study conducted by the University of Sydney examined the effects of various diets on participants aged 65 to 75 over a period of four weeks.
Study Design
The study involved 104 participants, who were assigned to one of four diets. Two diets were omnivorous, incorporating protein from both animals and plants. The other two diets consisted of 70% plant protein. The omnivorous diets differed based on fat and carbohydrate content, while the semi-vegetarian diets followed the same pattern. Each diet provided 14% of energy from protein.
Biological Age and Its Measurement
“Biological age” refers to the body’s health indicators, known as biomarkers, rather than chronological age. Researchers measured 20 different biomarkers, such as cholesterol and insulin levels, to understand the effects of these diet changes.
Findings and Implications
The study’s findings revealed that changes in diet influenced individuals’ biological ages. Participants in three out of the four diet groups saw reductions in their biological ages after four weeks. Only those on the high-fat omnivorous diet experienced no significant change.
Diets rich in complex carbohydrates and plant-based foods appeared to be most effective in reducing biological age, offering potential benefits for longevity and health.
“Biological aging varies between individuals, reflecting differences in health status and the body’s resilience,” according to a report by the University of Sydney.
While the study showed promising results, the research team advised caution, noting that these findings represent short-term effects. Caitlin Andrews, the study leader, stated, “It’s too soon to say definitively that specific changes to diet will extend your life, but this research offers an early indication of the potential benefits.”
Further inquiries regarding the study were directed to the researchers by Fox News Digital.
Teresa Mull, a freelance writer with the Lifestyle team at Fox News Digital, contributed to the coverage of this research.