A recent study has identified six plant-based foods that may help men slow down the aging process at a cellular level. The research, published last month in the peer-reviewed journal Aging, focused on how certain foods affect epigenetic age — a measure of biological, rather than chronological, aging.
The study highlights foods containing methyl adaptogens, natural compounds found in plants that may reduce epigenetic aging. The six foods identified are green tea, oolong tea, turmeric, rosemary, garlic, and berries.
Researchers studied nearly 50 healthy men aged between 50 and 72 years old. While the findings provide a promising starting point for understanding the role of these plant-based compounds, scientists acknowledge that future research should involve larger and more diverse populations to confirm the results.
The study comes amid ongoing shifts in dietary trends. Plant-based diets and veganism have grown in popularity since the 2010s, but recent data shows meat consumption in the US is rising again.
According to a 2024 report by the Food Industry Association and the Meat Institute, meat sales reached a record $104.6 billion this year. This follows a brief decline reported in 2022, when the average annual meat consumption per American dropped to 264 pounds—a decrease of 10 pounds over two years.
As more Americans seek easy ways to increase protein intake, meat’s popularity is resurging. However, this new study underscores the potential benefits of including specific plant-based foods in the diet to support healthy aging.
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