A1 Journal article (refereed)
Suboptimal dietary patterns are associated with accelerated biological aging in young adulthood : a study with twins (2025)


Ravi, S., Kankaanpää, A., Bogl, L. H., Heikkinen, A., Pietiläinen, K. H., Kaprio, J., Ollikainen, M., & Sillanpää, E. (2025). Suboptimal dietary patterns are associated with accelerated biological aging in young adulthood : a study with twins. Clinical Nutrition, 45, 10-21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clnu.2024.12.018


JYU authors or editors


Publication details

All authors or editorsRavi, Suvi; Kankaanpää, Anna; Bogl, Leonie H.; Heikkinen, Aino; Pietiläinen, Kirsi H.; Kaprio, Jaakko; Ollikainen, Miina; Sillanpää, Elina

Journal or seriesClinical Nutrition

ISSN0261-5614

eISSN1532-1983

Publication year2025

Volume45

Pages range10-21

PublisherElsevier

Publication countryNetherlands

Publication languageEnglish

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.clnu.2024.12.018

Publication open accessOpenly available

Publication channel open accessPartially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX)https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/99458


Abstract

Background & aims
Suboptimal diets increase morbidity and mortality risk. Epigenetic clocks are algorithms that can assess health and lifespan, even at a young age, before clinical manifestations of diseases. We investigated the association between dietary patterns and biological aging in young adult twins.
Methods
The data were drawn from the population-based FinnTwin12 study and consisted of twins aged 21–25 years (n=826). Food and beverage intakes were assessed using a food frequency questionnaire. Biological aging was estimated using the epigenetic clocks GrimAge and DunedinPACE. Latent class analysis was used to identify dietary patterns. The association between dietary patterns and biological aging was assessed using linear regression modeling at the individual level, followed by within–twin pair analyses to account for genetic liabilities and shared familial confounders.
Results
Six dietary patterns were identified: 1) High fast food, low fruits and vegetables (F&V), 2) Plant-based, 3) Health-conscious, 4) Western with infrequent fish, 5) Western with regular fish, and 6) Balanced average. At the individual level, GrimAge acceleration was slower in the Plant-based, Health-conscious, and Balanced-average patterns compared to the High fast food, low F&V, and faster in the Western with infrequent fish pattern compared to the Balanced average, regardless of sex, nonalcoholic energy intake, smoking, and alcohol consumption. After further adjustment for BMI and sports participation, the strengths of the associations modestly decreased; however, the difference between the Balanced-average and High fast food, low F&V patterns remained significant. The pace of aging (DunedinPACE) was slower in the Plant-based pattern compared to the High fast food, low F&V and the Western with infrequent fish patterns after adjustment for sex, nonalcoholic energy intake, smoking, and alcohol. The effect sizes were attenuated and reached a non-significant level when BMI and sports participation were added to the model. Most of the associations were replicated in the within-pair analyses among all twin pairs and among dizygotic twin pairs, but the effect sizes tended to be smaller among monozygotic twin pairs. This suggests that genetics, but not a shared environment, may partially explain the observed associations between diet and biological aging.
Conclusion
Diets high in fast food, processed red meat, and sugar-sweetened beverages and low in fruits and vegetables are associated with accelerated biological aging in young adulthood. The clustering effect of lifestyle factors and genetic confounders should be considered when interpreting the findings.


Keywordsnutritiondietsageingtwin research

Free keywordsdiet; nutrition; biological aging; epigenetic clock; twin study


Contributing organizations


Ministry reportingYes

VIRTA submission year2025

Preliminary JUFO rating3


Last updated on 2025-25-01 at 20:06