25/07/2025
New research shows a plant-based diet might actually help your cells stay younger.
Could everyday foods like garlic, turmeric, and green tea help keep your cells biologically younger?
A new study published in Aging suggests they might.
Researchers found that higher consumption of "methyl adaptogen" foods—items rich in polyphenols and vitamins known to influence DNA methylation—was linked to a reduction in epigenetic age (EA), a biological measure of aging.
Participants who regularly consumed foods like berries, cruciferous vegetables, and herbal teas saw meaningful shifts in their biological markers, even when accounting for weight changes and baseline health. Though the study stops short of proving a cause-and-effect relationship, it reinforces the idea that diet can significantly influence the pace of cellular aging.
The findings stem from a small, controlled trial involving 43 middle-aged men, where those on a specialized diet targeting DNA methylation showed notable improvements in EA compared to a control group. While promising, the research team emphasizes that the results are preliminary and drawn from a limited, homogeneous sample. Still, the study adds to a growing body of evidence that specific dietary patterns—especially those rich in colorful plant-based foods and anti-inflammatory compounds—may help support healthy aging. Researchers now call for broader studies to determine whether these effects can be replicated in larger, more diverse populations.
source
Villanueva JL, Vita AA, Zwickey H, et al. Dietary associations with reduced epigenetic age: a secondary data analysis of the methylation diet and lifestyle study. Aging, 2025.
