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Essential nutrients, added sugar intake, and epigenetic age in midlife black and white women
Nutrients are essential for DNA replication, maintenance, and repair while also acting as antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents. A balanced diet is crucial for maintaining genomic stability and overall health. In a varied population of midlife Black and White women, this study by Chiu et al. (2024) sought to investigate the association between epigenetic age and dietary habits, including the consumption of key nutrients and added sugar, as well as diet quality scores from both new and known nutritional indices. Data from women who participated in the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Growth and Health Research (NGHS) from 1987 to 1997 were examined in this cross-sectional research (2021–2023). The study included 342 women recruited from the California site of NGHS between 2015 and 2019 who had completed both diet and epigenetic assessments. Based on 3-day food records, the intake of added sugar, a unique Epigenetic nutritional Index [ENI], and well-known nutritional indices (Alternate Mediterranean Diet [aMED], Alternate Healthy Eating Index [AHEI]–2010) were used to assess the quality of the diet. Based on salivary DNA samples, epigenetic age was determined using GrimAge2, a second-generation epigenetic clock marker. The study hypothesized that healthier dietary patterns would be associated with a younger epigenetic age. Data analysis included 342 women (mean age: 39.2 years, 50% Black, 50% White). In fully adjusted models, a younger epigenetic age was substantially correlated with healthier dietary scores (aMED, AHEI-2010, ENI), whereas an older epigenetic age was correlated with greater added sugar intake. The results for aMED and added sugar intake remained statistically significant even in combined analyses. This study discovered independent relationships between epigenetic age, added sugar consumption, and diet quality. These results, which use second-generation epigenetic clocks, suggest that promoting diets rich in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory nutrients while reducing added sugar could help slow cellular aging. However, longitudinal studies are necessary for further confirmation. [NPID: Dietary patterns, epigenetic age, added sugar, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, epigenetic clocks, Mediterranean diet, healthy eating, cellular aging]
Year: 2024
