Chinese scholars have recently discovered that the "brake" for delaying aging is hidden in this type of food →

Aging is a complex, multi-stage, and gradual process that occurs throughout life. As time goes by, the body's organs and muscles will gradually age, and some diseases also occur with age, including cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, etc.

The aging process is caused by an imbalance of free radicals and antioxidants in the body, leading to oxidative stress, which accelerates the aging process by causing damage to cells. The role of diet in regulating oxidative stress is crucial and can serve as an effective means to combat oxidative stress and mitigate the effects of age-related diseases. The role of antioxidants as oxidant scavengers in protecting biological systems from free radical toxicity has been proposed.

The combined dietary antioxidant index (CDAI) is an indicator for evaluating the intake of antioxidants in the diet, which aims to evaluate the comprehensive impact of dietary antioxidants on human health. It is usually based on the content of antioxidants in food, including β-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, zinc and manganese.

Previous studies have shown that individuals with high CDAI scores have lower rates of many types of cancer, and that higher CDAI is associated with higher serum levels of Klotho, an important anti-aging protein. However, the relationship between CDAI and biological aging is unclear.

Recently, Chen Xiaoli, He Xingkang and others from the Run Run Shaw Hospital affiliated to Zhejiang University School of Medicine published a research paper titled "Composite dietary antioxidant index associated with delayed biological aging: a population-based study" in the journal "Aging".

The study showed that consuming an antioxidant diet delayed biological aging, with participants with the highest CDAI having a 0.52-year reduction in phenotypic age compared to those with the lowest CDAI scores.

In this study, researchers analyzed 25,305 participants aged 18 years or older from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database, collected dietary information from the participants through a dietary questionnaire, calculated a comprehensive dietary antioxidant index, and measured the phenotypic age of the participants based on PhenoAge, analyzing the relationship between the comprehensive dietary antioxidant index and biological aging.

According to the comprehensive dietary antioxidant index, the CDAI scores were divided into 4 groups.

The study found that an antioxidant diet helps delay biological aging, and the higher the CDAI score, the lower the phenotypic age of the participants.

Specifically, after adjusting for other factors, each quartile increase in CDAI was associated with a 0.18-year decrease in phenotypic age; participants with the highest CDAI had a 0.52-year decrease in phenotypic age compared with those with the lowest CDAI scores.

Relationship between comprehensive dietary antioxidant index and phenotypic age

In the logistic analysis, each additional quartile of CDAI score was associated with delayed aging.

Importantly, CDAI was consistently found to be negatively correlated with PhenoAge across age, sex, income, exercise, smoking, and BMI subgroups.

The study suggests that dietary antioxidants have the potential to prevent age-related diseases. Antioxidants are molecules that have been identified as reducing the production of reactive oxygen species and helping to extend lifespan.

In order to prevent the harmful effects of oxidative stress, it is crucial to incorporate exogenous antioxidants. These sources include beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, zinc and manganese, as well as coenzyme Q10. By taking antioxidant supplements, the depletion of endogenous antioxidants can be prevented, ultimately mitigating the associated oxidative damage.

Plant-derived antioxidants, primarily phenolic compounds, vitamins, and flavonoids, are found in a variety of sources including fruits, tea, vegetables, nuts, and coffee, and have been shown to have positive effects on a variety of diseases.

Mechanisms of Antioxidant Diet in Delaying Aging:

First, the researchers say, the ability of antioxidants to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, which can cause cell damage and may be associated with age-related diseases, may be one of the mechanisms. Oxidative stress, which can cause cell damage and may be associated with age-related diseases, and inflammation, which is also associated with aging and age-related diseases, may be one of the mechanisms.

Second, antioxidants have the potential to protect telomeres from damage and slow the rate of telomere shortening; shorter telomeres are associated with cellular dysfunction, aging, and increased susceptibility to age-related diseases.

Third, studies have found that antioxidants can affect signaling pathways related to the aging process and age-related diseases.

In summary, this study suggests that an antioxidant diet can help delay biological aging and that intake of dietary antioxidants may be beneficial in resisting the effects of aging.

Paper link:

https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.205232