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This 18-month randomized controlled trial in adults with abdominal obesity or dyslipidemia found that greater adherence to a polyphenol-rich Green-MED diet, particularly higher intake of green tea and Mankai, was associated with a slower rate of biological aging as measured by specific DNA methylation clocks. The study did not find a significant overall difference in biological aging changes between the three diet intervention groups.
Full summary
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This 18-month randomized controlled trial (DIRECT PLUS) assigned 256 adults with abdominal obesity or dyslipidemia to one of three diets: healthy dietary guidelines, a Mediterranean (MED) diet, or a polyphenol-rich Green-MED diet. The primary aim of the trial was weight loss; this analysis reports on a pre-specified secondary outcome: change in DNA methylation-based epigenetic clocks (e.g., Li, Hannum) as biomarkers of biological age. While there were no significant differences in biological aging changes between the three diet groups, greater adherence to the Green-MED diet was associated with slower biological aging, specifically with smaller relative increases in Li and Hannum methylation age clocks. The study notes limitations including self-reported diet, use of spot urine samples, a small number of women, and a population with specific health conditions. The authors conclude the data suggest an inverse association between polyphenol-rich diets and biological aging, but caution that no causal inference can be made.
PICO
PPOPULATION
256 participants with abdominal obesity or dyslipidemia
IINTERVENTION
Green-MED diet (high in polyphenols from green tea and Mankai) and MED diet (with walnuts), both compared to healthy dietary guidelines
OOUTCOME
Change in DNA methylation-assessed biological age clocks over 18 months
