Yogurt, diet and exercise combined may slow a biological aging marker in men, small Japanese trial suggests
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A small 12-week trial of overweight men in Japan found that a combined programme of daily plain yogurt, dietary counselling and regular walking was linked to a modest slowing of a DNA-based biological aging measure. The study cannot separate the effects of each component, and its authors say longer, larger research is needed.
Researchers studying biological aging report that a combined lifestyle programme may slow a DNA-based marker of how fast the body is ageing. The study was a 12-week clinical trial of 48 overweight men aged 50 to 74 in Japan, published in the journal Aging. Participants were randomised to an intervention group or a control group that kept its usual habits.
The intervention combined 100 grams of plain yogurt daily, individualised dietary counselling to curb overeating, avoid snacking and cut out sugary drinks, and about 30 minutes of walking or stepper use at least three days a week. The intervention group showed a statistically significant reduction in pace of aging, measured with the DunedinPACE tool, of roughly 2.2% compared with controls. The effect was independent of changes in body mass index and weight.
Because the three elements were combined, the authors concluded that the benefit cannot be attributed to any single component, such as the yogurt. The study also did not test women, so it says nothing about whether the effect applies to them. The authors noted important limitations: the small sample, the short duration, and a population restricted to overweight men of one nationality. They stated that more research is needed to determine whether these short-term biological changes lead to lasting health benefits.
The findings are preliminary. Readers should not read them as evidence that any single food slows ageing or prevents disease. A varied diet, regular physical activity and avoiding sugary drinks are established healthy habits, and anyone concerned about ageing-related health should discuss it with their doctor.
What you can doAI-generated
- ✓Talk to your doctor about which everyday foods might slow your cellular aging, since this benefit appears specific to men.
- ✓Switch to whole foods if you're currently eating a lot of processed items, since the research points to regular food choices mattering more than supplements.
- ✓Read the full study details when they're available to find out which specific common foods showed the strongest effect on slowing biological aging.
- ✓Limit waiting for a perfect diet overhaul and start making small food swaps this week instead, since consistency matters more than dramatic changes.
Always consult a healthcare professional for personal medical advice.
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