A good read, a movie session, or a stroll through an art gallery can do more than entertain: according to a new study led by University College London (UCL), these activities are associated with slower biological aging. The research, published in the journal Innovation in Aging, analyzed data from 3,556 adults in the UK, combining questionnaire responses with blood tests that measure age-related chemical changes in DNA.
The researchers compared the frequency and variety of participation in artistic and cultural activities with indicators of biological aging, using different “epigenetic clocks.” The result showed that those who engaged in these activities at least once a week had an aging rate 4% slower than those who rarely participated. The effect was similar to that observed among people who exercised weekly compared to sedentary individuals.
“This study provides the first evidence that participation in artistic and cultural activities is related to a slower pace of biological aging,” highlighted Feifei Bu, one of the study’s authors. She added that the arts have already been shown to reduce stress, decrease inflammation, and improve cardiovascular disease risk, similarly to physical exercise.
The relationship was more pronounced in middle-aged adults and those over 40, and it remained even after adjustments for factors such as body mass index, smoking, education level, and income. According to the DunedinPACE epigenetic clock, participation in artistic activities at least three times a year was associated with 2% slower aging; monthly participation, 3%; and weekly, 4%. The PhenoAge test, which estimates biological age, indicated that the most frequent participants were, on average, one year younger biologically—an effect greater than that of physical exercise, which resulted in about half a year less.
The authors suggest that the diversity of activities may be beneficial, as each offers different “ingredients” of physical, cognitive, emotional, or social stimulation. The study reinforces the importance of including the arts in public health strategies, especially for the population over 40.