The secret to staying young may lie in the halls of a museum, a concert venue, or the pages of a book. Regularly engaging with the arts and literature appears to offer far more than moments of relaxation — it is a genuine elixir against aging.
That is the finding of a new study from the Social, Biological and Health Psychology Laboratory at University College London (UCL), published recently in the scientific journal Innovation in Aging. Led by Professor of Psychobiology and Epidemiology Daisy Fancourt, the researchers discovered that consistent participation in cultural activities is linked to a slower rate of biological aging and a lower biological age over time.
The “molecular fingerprint” of biological wear
The study, which drew on data from 3,556 adults in the United Kingdom, is among the first to explore at a molecular level the biological basis of the connection between artistic engagement and aging. Aging leaves its mark on the body through a characteristic chemical process known as “DNA methylation”: small chemical molecules (methyl groups) attach to specific points on the genetic material and influence gene activity.
Over time, these patterns shift in predictable ways, creating a kind of molecular “fingerprint” of age and biological decline. For years, science has had a range of tools that help researchers process and analyze the large volume of data generated by DNA methylation, with the ultimate goal of mapping the biological pattern of aging as fully as possible.
The help of advanced epigenetic clocks
The study relied on “epigenetic clocks” — computational tools that use statistical analysis to convert hundreds of thousands of DNA methylation sites (indicators of aging) into markers that directly link biological age to lifestyle and daily habits.
As lead author Dr. Feifei Bu explained to the publication, the research used even more sophisticated algorithms than those in earlier studies, capable of detecting the subtlest associations between aging and specific everyday activities. “One key difference is that first-generation epigenetic clocks were designed primarily to predict chronological age, whereas newer ones more directly capture health indicators, mortality risk, and the pace of biological aging. That is why they are considered more sensitive to lifestyle influences, such as physical activity and cultural engagement,” she noted.
Using a total of seven computational tools — including PhenoAge, DunedinPoAm, and DunedinPACE — along with blood sample data, the researchers focused on the potential epigenetic changes brought about by engagement in creative activities.
Participants also answered questions about how often and in what ways they took part in cultural activities, as well as their level of physical exercise. The analysis examined both each individual’s biological age, which reflects the overall condition of the body, and their rate of aging, meaning the speed at which biological decline progresses — two distinct but interrelated parameters.
Stronger benefits after age 40
Results showed that people who engaged more frequently in artistic and cultural activities — such as reading, listening to music, or visiting museums and galleries — had a slower rate of biological aging. They also showed a lower biological age compared to those who rarely or never participated in such activities.
Overall, weekly engagement with the arts was associated with a roughly 4% slower rate of aging, monthly engagement with about 3%, and occasional participation with a 2% slowdown, compared to those with minimal cultural exposure. The difference in aging rate was comparable in magnitude to that observed in previous studies between current and former smokers.
Based on the PhenoAge tool, people who took part in a cultural activity at least once a week appeared to be, on average, about one year biologically younger than those who engaged only rarely.
“Notably, the benefits depended not only on frequency but also on the variety of activities,” Dr. Bu emphasized. The richer and more diverse the cultural experience, the more favorable the indicators for biological age. These benefits were also more pronounced in individuals aged 40 and above.
The association held steady even after accounting for variables such as smoking and BMI. Regarding socioeconomic factors, Dr. Bu noted that while basic elements such as income and education level were included in the analysis, it was not possible to fully separate the effect of artistic engagement from other aspects of participants’ lifestyles, even after statistical adjustments.
What the percentages mean in practice
As Dr. Bu explained, figures like “4% slower aging” do not translate directly into specific years of life. “The rate of aging is not converted into a given age or into someone looking a few years younger. What it actually captures is the speed at which biological deterioration unfolds over time. The slower that process, the better a person’s health is considered to be over the long run.”
It is clear, then, that culture can serve as an accessible and enjoyable way to support health throughout life, with small daily habits — from reading and music to a visit to an exhibition space — carrying even greater weight than previously understood. They carry, in other words, an anti-aging value that is truly priceless.
