Tea consumption and attenuation of biological aging: a longitudinal analysis from two cohort studies

Abstract

Background

The biological aging process can be modified through lifestyle interventions to prevent age-related diseases and extend healthspan. However, evidence from population-based studies on whether tea consumption could delay the biological aging process in humans remains limited.

Methods

This study included 7931 participants aged 30–79 years from the China Multi-Ethnic Cohort (CMEC) Study and 5998 participants aged 37–73 years from the UK Biobank (UKB) who participated in both the baseline and first follow-up surveys. Tea consumption information was collected through questionnaires. Biological age (BA) acceleration was calculated using clinical biomarkers and anthropometric measurements based on the Klemera Doubal method (KDM). Change-to-change analyses were performed to estimate the associations between changes in tea consumption status and changes in BA acceleration using multiple linear models. Follow-up adjusted for baseline analyses were further conducted to examine the prospective exposure-response relationship between tea consumption and BA acceleration among individuals with constant tea consumption status.

Findings

During a median follow-up of 1.98 (1.78, 2.16) years in the CMEC and 4.50 (3.92, 5.00) years in the UKB, tea consumption was consistently associated with attenuated BA acceleration in both cohorts. Transitioning from nondrinking to tea-drinking was associated with decreased BA acceleration (CMEC: β = −0.319, 95% CI: −0.620 to −0.017 years; UKB: β = −0.267, 95% CI: −0.831 to 0.297 years) compared to consistent nondrinking. Even stronger associations were found in consistent tea drinkers. The exposure-response relationship suggested that consuming around 3 cups of tea or 6–8 g of tea leaves per day may offer the most evident anti-aging benefits.

Interpretation

Tea consumption was associated with attenuated BA acceleration measured by KDM, especially for consistent tea drinkers with moderate consumption. Our findings highlight the potential role of tea in developing nutrition-oriented anti-aging interventions and guiding healthy aging policies.

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 82273740).