Researchers are wondering how nutrition influences ageing cells in the body. This type of cell, also known as senescent cells, accumulates with ageing and contributes to many diseases of old age. It is important to know whether healthier eating habits can reduce this cellular burden.
A recent study shows that there is still insufficient clear evidence to conclude that diet can significantly reduce the number of senescent cells. The available studies are too small and differ too much in their results to make definitive statements. What does seem to be the case is that nutrition can mainly influence the activity of these cells, not the number.
Senescent cells stop dividing and can release harmful substances that cause inflammation. A lifestyle with healthy nutrition certainly has other benefits for the ageing process, but the direct impact on these specific cells cannot yet be properly established. This calls for more large-scale and long-term research.
For people who want to age healthily, it therefore remains important to follow a balanced diet, even though the effect on senescent cells is not yet entirely clear. After all, healthy nutrition contributes to better general health and can thus positively influence the ageing process.
Source: Reason
