American scientists have established that strong, long-term relationships help slow down epigenetic aging and reduce the level of inflammation in the body.
Strong and stable social connections can literally slow down the biological aging of the body. Scientists found that parental support in childhood, friendships, and participation in religious and community organizations in adulthood all reduce inflammatory processes and “rejuvenate” the so-called epigenetic clocks.
The study, published in the journal Brain, Behavior and Immunity – Health, is based on data from over 2,100 adults participating in the long-term MIDUS project. According to Cornell University Professor Anthony Ong, individuals with broad and stable social networks showed a slower rate of epigenetic aging and lower levels of chronic inflammation.
A key discovery was that the “social advantage” is cumulative—resources accumulated in childhood and maturity combine to determine the trajectory of health at a cellular level. Participants with strong social ties had significantly lower biological age scores on the GrimAge and DunedinPACE epigenetic clocks than their chronological age.
The scientists emphasize that social life is not just about emotional well-being, but also physiological health. People who “invest” in relationships throughout their lives are literally aging slower.
