# Better Diet Linked to Slower Epigenetic Aging, But Exercise Steals the Show

*Healthy Eating Index, Epigenetic Age Acceleration and Mortality Risk in US Adults.*

- **Evidence Level**: Moderate
- **Publication Types**: Journal Article
- **Journal**: Aging cell
- **Sample Size**: 3,910 U.S. adults from NHANES and HRS cohorts
- **Authors**: Beydoun MA, Fanelli Kuczmarski MT, Noren Hooten N, Beydoun HA, Tsai J, Maldonado AI, Hossain S, Nieva A, Evans MK, Zonderman AB
- **Published**: 2026-05-01
- **Topics**: nutrition, epigenetic aging, exercise
- **DOI**: https://doi.org/10.1111/acel.70504
- **Original Source**: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42087064/

## Summary

In two large U.S. studies of older adults, eating a higher-quality diet was tied to slower epigenetic aging and lower death risk. About 44% of the diet-mortality link was explained by GrimAge, a biological aging clock. But when researchers accounted for physical activity, the diet effect mostly disappeared. Movement may matter as much as the menu.

## Practical Takeaway

This study suggests pairing a healthy diet with regular physical activity may matter more than diet alone.

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_Canonical: https://longevity-china.com/en/research/better-diet-linked-to-slower-epigenetic-aging-but-exercise-steals-the-show · Part of Longevity Cities · Updated 2026-05-01_