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Regular participation in artistic and cultural activities may help slow biological aging, according to a new study from University College London (UCL), published in the journal Innovation in Aging.
The study analyzed data from 3,556 adults in the United Kingdom, comparing their engagement in artistic activities with chemical changes in DNA associated with biological aging.
According to researchers, people who participated more frequently in activities such as visiting art galleries, singing in a choir, or taking pottery classes showed a slower rate of aging and a younger biological age.
The results showed that people who engaged in artistic activities at least once a week aged about 4 percent slower than those who rarely engaged in them. The researchers noted that this effect was comparable to the benefits associated with regular physical activity.
The study's lead author, Feifei Bu, said the research provides "the first evidence" that engagement in arts and culture is associated with slower rates of biological aging.
"Artistic activities have been shown to reduce stress, lower inflammation, and improve the risk of cardiovascular disease, similar to the effects of physical exercise ," she said.
The effects were particularly noticeable in people over 40 and remained consistent even after the researchers took into account factors such as body weight, smoking, education and income.
Professor Daisy Fancourt said the results show that arts and cultural activities should be considered as health-promoting behaviours, similar to physical activity.
The researchers analyzed seven so-called "epigenetic clocks," tools that measure the pace of aging through chemical changes in DNA.
In one of the main measurements, known as DunedinPACE, weekly participation in artistic activities was associated with 4 percent slower aging compared to people who participated less than three times a year.
In another test, PhenoAge, participants who regularly engaged in artistic activities were found to be biologically about a year younger than those who rarely engaged in them.
However, the researchers stressed that the results do not imply replacing physical activity with art, but suggest that cultural activities may have an important role in promoting healthy aging.
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