Things that make you age faster, and slower

Researchers reviewed studies linking everyday habits and health conditions with aging. They looked at measures of biological age, meaning how old the body appears based on health markers, rather than just a person’s birthday. Smoking, heavy drinking, inactivity, poor sleep, excess weight, and long-term stress were generally linked with faster aging. Regular exercise, better sleep, a healthy weight, and a balanced diet were generally linked with slower aging. These findings mostly show patterns between habits and aging, not proof that one habit directly caused the change.

What this means for you: The findings support familiar advice: do not smoke, limit alcohol, stay active, sleep well, and eat a balanced diet. You can ignore expensive products claiming to reverse aging, because this research does not show that they work. The evidence is limited by differences between the studies and by the fact that healthier people may also have other advantages.