Aging is an inevitable process, but every person’s body experiences it individually. Often, our physiological age—how our body actually functions—differs significantly from our chronological age. According to a new study published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, active engagement in cultural life is directly linked to slowing down physiological aging.
Researchers at the Institute of Science Tokyo investigated this connection in the long term for the first time. They analyzed data from 1,899 adults over the age of 50 living in England. To determine the patients’ physiological age, the scientists used 10 key biomarkers, including blood pressure, lung capacity, cholesterol and hemoglobin levels, body mass index (BMI), and muscle strength.
The results showed that individuals who visited the cinema, theater, museum, or opera at least once every few months had an average physiological age of 66.9 years. This means they were, on average, 3 years younger compared to those who were less involved in cultural life (the average physiological age of the latter group was found to be 69.9 years). According to the study, every one-point increase in the cultural activity index reduces physiological age by an average of 31 days.
The scientists explain that attending cultural events strengthens social connections, promotes healthy behaviors, and improves mental health, which ultimately slows down the body’s rate of aging. Interestingly, the researchers estimate that the positive effect of cultural engagement on the body is entirely comparable to the impact of regular physical activity (exercise).
Although the study is observational and cannot definitively prove a direct cause-and-effect relationship (as healthier people naturally find it easier to physically attend plays or exhibitions), the authors believe that increasing access to cultural life could become an effective anti-aging tool in public health.
