A major new UK study has found that regular engagement with the arts and cultural activities may slow biological ageing at a level comparable to physical exercise, providing what researchers describe as the first evidence linking arts participation to epigenetic ageing.

The study, led by researchers at University College London and published in the journal Innovate Age, analysed data from 3,556 adults in the long-running UK Household Longitudinal Study.

Researchers examined seven “epigenetic clocks” – biological measures based on DNA methylation patterns that estimate how quickly the body is ageing compared with chronological age. While exercise has previously been linked to healthier ageing, arts and cultural engagement had never before been studied in relation to epigenetic ageing.

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The findings showed that both arts engagement and physical activity were associated with slower ageing on several second- and third-generation epigenetic clocks, including PhenoAge, DunedinPoAm and DunedinPACE. The associations were strongest among adults aged 40 and over.

Participants who engaged in arts and cultural activities weekly showed biological ageing around one year lower on the PhenoAge clock than those who took part once or twice a year. Similar effects were observed...