Dietary diversity score and the acceleration of biological aging: a population-based study of 88,039 participants

Last updated:

2 July 2025

Author(s):

Ye Liu, Meijuan Kang, Wenming Wei, Jingni Hui, Yifan Gou, Chen Liu, Ruixue Zhou, Bingyi Wang, Panxing Shi, Huan Liu, Bolun Cheng, Yumeng Jia, Yan Wen, Feng Zhang

Publish date:

28 May 2024

Journal:

The journal of nutrition, health & aging

PubMed ID:

38810510

DOI:

10.1016/j.jnha.2024.100271

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Our study aimed to investigate the association of dietary diversity score (DDS), as reflected by five dietary categories, with biological age acceleration.

DESIGN: A cross-sectional study.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: This study included 88,039 individuals from the UK Biobank.

METHODS: Biological age (BA) was assessed using Klemerae-Doubal (KDM) and PhenoAge methods. The difference between BA and chronological age represents the age acceleration (AgeAccel), termed as “KDMAccel” and “PhenoAgeAccel”. AgeAccel > 0 indicates faster aging. Generalized linear regression models were performed to assess the associations of DDS with AgeAccel. Similar analyses were performed for the five dietary categories.

RESULTS: After adjusting for multiple variables, DDS was inversely associated with KDMAccel (β_{High vs Low}= -0.403, 95%CI: -0.492 to -0.314, P < 0.001) and PhenoAgeAccel (β_{High vs Low}= -0.545, 95%CI: -0.641 to -0.450, P < 0.001). Each 1-point increment in the DDS was associated with a 4.4% lower risk of KDMAccel and a 5.6% lower risk of PhenoAgeAccel. The restricted cubic spline plots demonstrated a non-linear dose-response association between DDS and the risk of AgeAccel. The consumption of grains (β_KDMAccel = -0.252, β_{PhenoAgeAccel} = -0.197), vegetables (β_KDMAccel = -0.044, β_{PhenoAgeAccel} = -0.077) and fruits (β_KDMAccel = -0.179, β_{PhenoAgeAccel} = -0.219) was inversely associated with the two AgeAccel, while meat and protein alternatives (β_KDMAccel = 0.091, β_{PhenoAgeAccel} = 0.054) had a positive association (All P < 0.001). Stratified analysis revealed stronger accelerated aging effects in males, smokers, and drinkers. A strengthening trend in the association between DDS and AgeAccel as TDI quartiles increased was noted.

CONCLUSIONS: This study suggested that food consumption plays a role in aging process, and adherence to a higher diversity dietary is associated with the slowing down of the aging process.