Study finds short-term vegan diet linked to reduced biological age

In a recent study published in the journal BMC Medicine, Eating a vegan diet for eight weeks is associated with reductions in biological age estimations based on levels of DNA methylation — a type of chemical modification of DNA (known as an epigenetic modification) that alters gene expression but not DNA itself. Previous research has reported that increased DNA methylation levels are associated with aging.

Varun Dwaraka, Christopher Gardner, and colleagues investigated the molecular effects of a short-term vegan diet by instructing one-half of each twin pair to eat an omnivorous diet for eight weeks — including between 170 and 225 grams of meat, one egg, and one and a half servings of dairy each day — and the other half to eat a vegan diet for the same length of time. The sample was 77 percent women (32), and participants were 40 years old on average and had an average body mass index of 26 kilograms per metre squared. For the first four weeks of the study, participants ate meals that had been prepared for them and the second four weeks participants ate meals that they had prepared themselves, after receiving nutrition classes from health educators.

The study investigated the impacts of diet on levels of DNA methylation by analyzing blood samples collected from participants at baseline, week four, and week eight of the study. They used DNA methylation levels to infer the biological ages of participants and their organ systems.

The study observed decreases in estimates of biological age — known as epigenetic aging clocks — in participants who ate a vegan diet but not among those who ate an omnivorous diet. They also observed decreases in the ages of the heart, hormone, liver, and inflammatory and metabolic systems of participants who ate a vegan, but not an omnivorous diet, for eight weeks.

They noted that participants who ate a vegan diet lost two kilograms more on average than those who ate an omnivorous diet due to differences in the calorie contents of meals provided during the initial four weeks of the study. They suggested that these weight loss variations could have contributed to the observed differences in epigenetic age between both groups. Further research is needed to investigate the relationship between dietary composition, weight and ageing, in addition to the long-term effects of vegan diets.

The study concluded that a short term vegan diet has been linked to reduction in biological age estimates, suggesting potential benefits for longevity and health.This dietary approach emphasised on plant-based foods, which are rich in antioxidants, fibre, and essential nutrients. These components can help reduce inflammation, improve metabolic function, and enhance overall well-being. Studies indicate that even brief adherence to a vegan diet can positively impact biomarkers of ageing, potentially lowering the biological age of individuals. This finding underscores the significance of dietary choices in promoting healthy ageing and may encourage further research into plant-based nutrition's long-term effects.

References: Dwaraka, V.B., Aronica, L., Carreras-Gallo, N. et al. Unveiling the epigenetic impact of vegan vs. omnivorous diets on aging: insights from the Twins Nutrition Study (TwiNS). BMC Med 22, 301 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-024-03513-w