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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — Your next museum trip, craft night, or concert might be doing more than lifting your mood; researchers say it could also be linked to slower biological aging.
A new study published by researchers at University College London found that people who regularly engaged in arts and cultural activities showed signs of slower “epigenetic aging,” a measurement scientists use to estimate how quickly the body is biologically aging.
The study analyzed data from more than 3,500 adults in the United Kingdom and compared participation in activities such as singing, dancing, painting, photography, museums, concerts, and crafts with DNA-based aging markers. Researchers also examined physical activity, including exercise and sports.
Researchers found that both frequent arts engagement and regular physical activity were associated with slower aging on several advanced biological aging “clocks.” The effects of arts and cultural participation were found to be comparable in size to physical activity in some measurements.
The study also found that variety mattered. People who participated in a wider range of arts and cultural activities tended to show stronger associations with slower aging markers.
Scientists believe activities involving creativity, social interaction, stress reduction, and mental stimulation may help influence biological processes tied to aging and inflammation.
Researchers cautioned that the study does not prove that attending concerts or visiting museums directly slows aging. Instead, it found an association between those activities and healthier biological aging markers.
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Still, the authors said the findings suggest arts and cultural engagement may deserve greater consideration as part of broader public health and healthy aging strategies.
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