Increased dairy product consumption is associated with shorter telomere length in buccal cells among normotensive adults.

Abstract

Background: Telomere length (TL) is a biomarker of biological aging and a predictor of age-related diseases. Dietary patterns, including dairy consumption, may influence telomere dynamics, but the evidence remains limited, particularly in Asian populations. This study investigates the association between dairy consumption and relative telomere length (RTL) in Taiwanese adults, with results analyzed by hypertension status.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 259 adults in Taipei, Taiwan. RTL was measured using quantitative PCR from buccal cells. Dietary intake was assessed through self-reported questionnaires, with a focus on dairy frequency and fat content. Multiple linear regression models were used to examine the association between dairy intake and TL, adjusting for demographic and lifestyle factors.

Results: Among normotensive individuals, higher frequency of dairy consumption was significantly associated with shorter RTL (β = -0.082, p < 0.01), particularly with low-fat and fat-free dairy products (β = -0.106, p < 0.01). No significant associations were observed in the hypertensive group.

Conclusion: Dairy intake, particularly of low-fat products, may contribute to telomere shortening in normotensive adults. This association was not evident in hypertensive individuals, possibly due to a ceiling effect of chronic inflammation. These findings highlight the need for individualized nutritional guidance in public health strategies targeting healthy aging.