The Art of Aging: Culture and Exercise Both Contribute to a Slower Biological Clock
Enjoying cultural experiences and arts might be just as good for your biological clock as physical exercise, a recent study proposes.
The team behind the study, based out of a prominent university in London, explored data from seven distinct biological aging clocks. These clocks track different biomarkers that help determine a person's biological age. Over 3,500 individuals from the United Kingdom were included in this study, which was recently released in a scientific journal focused on aging and innovation.
Arts and Aging: A Closer Look
The study's co-director, an acclaimed research fellow in the university's behavior science department, revealed that the study discovered how both the frequency and variety of arts engagement can slow down the aging process. It's not just about being occasionally involved in the arts, but also how diverse these interactions are.
While these findings weren't completely unexpected, they provide new insights into the relationship between cultural engagement and health. Prior studies have suggested that engaging with culture and the arts can lead to improved health outcomes, including cognition, depression, and mortality. However, this is the first study to specifically examine the impact on biological aging.
The co-director explained, "Arts could theoretically impact health through biological processes. Our study offers evidence supporting this idea."
The Impact of Arts: A Spectrum of Possibilities
The arts encompass a wide range of activities, each with its own unique benefits, which can include aesthetics, sensory or physical stimulation, and social interaction. The study observed similar benefits from physical activity and arts engagement. These findings were especially strong for middle-aged and older adults aged 40 and above. The data was adjusted to account for income and several other factors.
"Both frequency and diversity matter when it comes to the arts," said the study's co-director. "It really depends on the individual—their interests, what's available to them, and what they consistently enjoy."
She also emphasized that this study builds on previous research, indicating the potential benefits of incorporating arts into public health strategies and initiatives.
The Future of Aging and Art Studies
Looking forward, the research team plans to examine similar data across different countries and populations. They will also explore how other biological outcomes could be affected by cultural engagement.
A professor of medical humanities at a university in Leeds, England, who was not part of the study, praised the research. He described it as "detailed and robust", leveraging advanced tools for measuring biological aging and relying on a broad range of real-world data.
He said, "This study not only confirms the positive effects of cultural participation on our health, but it also emphasizes the importance of investing in arts and culture. These are not just incidental additions to our lives, but can actually have a significant impact on our health."
A professor of evolutionary biology at a university in Leicester, England, who was not involved in the study, also appreciated the research. He noted that it is the first to ask if cultural activities might be connected to slower biological aging at the molecular level. However, he advised caution, reminding us that this is only a single snapshot in time.
He said, "We can't definitively say that visiting a museum will cause you to age more slowly. It could be that people who are biologically younger for their age are simply more likely to get out and do things."
Enjoying cultural experiences and arts might be just as good for your biological clock as physical exercise, a recent study proposes.
The team behind the study, based out of a prominent university in London, explored data from seven distinct biological aging clocks. These clocks track different biomarkers that help determine a person's biological age. Over 3,500 individuals from the United Kingdom were included in this study, which was recently released in a scientific journal focused on aging and innovation.
Arts and Aging: A Closer Look
The study's co-director, an acclaimed research fellow in the university's behavior science department, revealed that the study discovered how both the frequency and variety of arts engagement can slow down the aging process. It's not just about being occasionally involved in the arts, but also how diverse these interactions are.
While these findings weren't completely unexpected, they provide new insights into the relationship between cultural engagement and health. Prior studies have suggested that engaging with culture and the arts can lead to improved health outcomes, including cognition, depression, and mortality. However, this is the first study to specifically examine the impact on biological aging.
The co-director explained, "Arts could theoretically impact health through biological processes. Our study offers evidence supporting this idea."
The Impact of Arts: A Spectrum of Possibilities
The arts encompass a wide range of activities, each with its own unique benefits, which can include aesthetics, sensory or physical stimulation, and social interaction. The study observed similar benefits from physical activity and arts engagement. These findings were especially strong for middle-aged and older adults aged 40 and above. The data was adjusted to account for income and several other factors.
"Both frequency and diversity matter when it comes to the arts," said the study's co-director. "It really depends on the individual—their interests, what's available to them, and what they consistently enjoy."
She also emphasized that this study builds on previous research, indicating the potential benefits of incorporating arts into public health strategies and initiatives.
The Future of Aging and Art Studies
Looking forward, the research team plans to examine similar data across different countries and populations. They will also explore how other biological outcomes could be affected by cultural engagement.
A professor of medical humanities at a university in Leeds, England, who was not part of the study, praised the research. He described it as "detailed and robust", leveraging advanced tools for measuring biological aging and relying on a broad range of real-world data.
He said, "This study not only confirms the positive effects of cultural participation on our health, but it also emphasizes the importance of investing in arts and culture. These are not just incidental additions to our lives, but can actually have a significant impact on our health."
A professor of evolutionary biology at a university in Leicester, England, who was not involved in the study, also appreciated the research. He noted that it is the first to ask if cultural activities might be connected to slower biological aging at the molecular level. However, he advised caution, reminding us that this is only a single snapshot in time.
He said, "We can't definitively say that visiting a museum will cause you to age more slowly. It could be that people who are biologically younger for their age are simply more likely to get out and do things."