At first glance, the findings from the University of North Carolina (USA) may not seem groundbreaking. However, they actually reveal something significant. Researchers dedicated their work to studying aging at the cellular level and made an astonishing discovery.
Numerous previous studies have shown that people living in green spaces enjoy a variety of health benefits. Specifically, they are more protected from stress and cardiovascular diseases. Greenery promotes physical activity and community interaction, fostering a healthier lifestyle and better health outcomes. Areas with abundant trees and greenery tend to be cooler, more resilient to flooding, and have lower levels of air pollution.
Now, scientists have determined that living in a natural environment slows the aging process of our cells.
life expectancy.
Telomeres are structures located at the ends of the 46 chromosomes in each cell, similar to the plastic tips on shoelaces. These caps prevent DNA from unraveling. The longer the telomeres, the more times a cell can divide. When telomeres become too short, cells die, as reported by The Guardian.
Telomere Length – A Unique Biomarker of Aging
According to co-author of the study, Aaron Hipp, a professor of parks, recreation, and tourism, “where we live, how much we exercise, and what we eat can all influence the rate of telomere degradation and, consequently, the aging process.”
Professor Hipp and his colleagues examined medical records (including telomere length) of over 7,800 individuals who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. For instance, researchers found that a 5 percent increase in green space was associated with a 1 percent reduction in cellular aging. The more greenery in a person’s living area, the slower their cells age, noted Aaron Hipp.
Peter James, an environmental epidemiologist from Harvard University who was not involved in the study, highlighted the novelty of the findings. Researchers focused on telomeres rather than other health indicators, further demonstrating that telomere length is a unique biomarker of aging.
The results of the study were published in the journal Science of the Total Environment.