Changing your diet for 8 weeks could reverse the aging process 

Health

New research suggests that it doesn't take long for a diet free of animal products to slow the biological aging process, with the heart, liver,  hormonal and inflammatory systems benefiting from  temporary changes. 

The study, led by a team from the Stanford University School of Medicine,  analyzed the rate of DNA methylation, a type of reversible genetic change that is often used as an indicator of how quickly the body wears out. 

A group of 21  identical twin pairs, one of each pair, followed a vegan diet for 8 weeks, with the twins' diet including meat and dairy products. After this period, those on a vegan diet showed a decrease in their estimated biological age. 

"This study suggests that a short-term vegan diet is associated with epigenetic aging effects and reduced caloric intake," the researchers wrote in their published paper. "The use of epigenetic biomarker proxies (EBPs) highlights the potential to evaluate nutritional effects and enable personalized nutritional strategies for healthy aging." 

Comparably less biological aging was observed in tissues constituting the heart and liver, as well as  the hormonal, inflammatory and metabolic systems, suggesting that the body does not age as quickly on a vegan diet. 

The non-vegan diet included 170-225 grams of meat, one egg and 1.5 servings of dairy products per day. 

In both groups,  participants ate pre-cooked meals for the first 4 weeks and  meals cooked at home based on nutritional guidance for the next 4 weeks, so both diets were considered healthy. 

Two  rye bread sandwiches with colorful vegan fillings 

In addition to  differences in DNA markers, participants on the vegan diet  lost an average of 2 kilograms more weight than those on the omnivorous diet, making it difficult to exclude the influence of calorie restriction or weight loss on the observed biological aging. 

Some points to note: The study included a relatively small sample  and did not take into account the risks of nutrient deficiencies that may come  with a plant-based diet in the long term.  This particular study was also partly funded by Beyond Meat, a company that makes plant-based products that are meat substitutes, and the Vogt Foundation, which invests in animal welfare and  plant-based projects. 

The researchers themselves acknowledge that the relationship between dietary differences and biological aging is still unclear. For now, there is no evidence that vegans live longer. 

Nevertheless, it is an interesting insight into how quickly dietary changes can have a  positive effect on the body. The study follows  a similar study from last year that found that an eight-week vegan diet could confer cardiovascular health benefits. "Future studies should investigate the long-term effects of a vegan diet  on epigenetic health and overall well-being, taking into account the importance of adequate nutrient supplementation,"  the researchers wrote.