Engaging in the arts may make you younger

A study has revealed that engaging in the arts and participating in cultural activities may be as beneficial as physical exercise in slowing biological aging and making individuals appear younger, CNN reported. Researchers from University College London (UCL) analyzed data drawn from seven models measuring biological aging—tools that estimate biological age through various biological indicators in the body. The data included more than 3,500 people from the United Kingdom.

Vivi Bowers, a co-author of the study and a research fellow in the Department of Behavioural Science and Health at UCL, told CNN that the study found that the frequency with which people participate in artistic activities and the variety of ways they engage in them may contribute to slowing the aging process. She noted that the results were not entirely surprising to researchers, as previous studies have shown links between cultural engagement and improved health outcomes in areas such as cognition, depression, and mortality rates. However, she pointed out that this is the first study to specifically examine biological aging.

“Theoretically, one way that the arts can affect health is through biological processes. Our study provides evidence supporting this,” Bowers said. She explained that the arts encompass a wide range of activities that include various influential elements, such as aesthetic aspects, sensory or physical stimulation, and social interaction.

According to the study, the impact of the arts and culture was nearly comparable to that of physical exercise. The results were generally stronger among middle-aged and older adults aged 40 and above, with the data adjusted for income and several other factors.

“Our research shows that both frequency and variety are important. The best approach varies depending on the individual, their interests, what is available to them, and what they consistently enjoy,” Bowers added. She noted that the study builds on previous research, underscoring the potential value of integrating the arts into public health strategies and initiatives.

Professor James Stoker, a professor of medical humanities at the University of Leeds in the UK, who was not involved in the study, told CNN that the research is detailed and robust. He added, “It relies on advanced tools for measuring biological aging and uses a large amount of real-world data.” He emphasized that, in addition to highlighting the positive effects of cultural participation on our health, the study reinforces the importance of investing in the arts and culture, demonstrating that they are not merely secondary additions to our lives but make a real difference to our health.

Eamon Malone, a professor of evolutionary biology at the University of Leicester in the UK, who was also not involved in the study, described the carefully conducted research as the first to ask whether cultural activities might be associated with slowing biological aging at the molecular level. He added, “The main finding is that they are, to a degree almost comparable to the effect of physical exercise.” He further suggested, “It may be that people whose biological age is already lower compared to their chronological age are simply more likely to go out and engage in activities.”