Dietary patterns and precision nutrition linked to biological aging

Research indicates that various healthy dietary patterns are associated with slower biological aging. A study published in Nature Communications by the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) analyzed 7,500 participants, comparing ten different healthy eating patterns—including Mediterranean, Nordic, plant-based, DASH, and MIND diets—against DNA methylation patterns to estimate biological age.

While the study found that higher diet quality correlates with slower aging, the differences between specific diets were modest. Certain diets showed more specific benefits, such as the DASH diet for cardiovascular health and the MIND diet for cognitive function and memory. Researchers noted that there is no single ideal diet, but rather a repertoire of healthy options.

In parallel, the scientific center AZTI is advancing precision nutrition research, focusing on how biological variability causes individuals to respond differently to the same foods. Their work includes using omics technologies to integrate biological data with lifestyle habits. Collaborative studies with Cruces University Hospital have identified that fatty acid profiles in red blood cell membranes can provide metabolic insights that go beyond standard metrics like body mass index.