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Cohort StudyClinical nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland)·Feb 2026

Fish-Eaters and Vegetarians Show Slower Biological Aging Than Regular Meat-Eaters

Key Insight

This study suggests reducing meat and including fish may be linked to slower biological aging.


Among over 400,000 UK adults, people who ate fish but little meat aged the slowest biologically. Vegetarians came in a close second. Regular meat-eaters aged fastest by two different biological age measures. These patterns held up over time too. People who stuck with low-meat, fish-based, or vegetarian diets saw their biological aging slow down compared to consistent meat-eaters during follow-up.

Disclaimer: Research summaries are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your health routine.