Dietary diversity score and the acceleration of biological aging: a population-based study of 88,039 participants.

Objectives: Our study aimed to investigate the association of dietary diversity score (DDS), as reflected by five dietary categories, with biological age acceleration.

Design: A cross-sectional study.

Setting And Participants: This study included 88,039 individuals from the UK Biobank.

Methods: Biological age (BA) was assessed using Klemerae-Doubal (KDM) and PhenoAge methods. The difference between BA and chronological age represents the age acceleration (AgeAccel), termed as "KDMAccel" and "PhenoAgeAccel". AgeAccel > 0 indicates faster aging. Generalized linear regression models were performed to assess the associations of DDS with AgeAccel. Similar analyses were performed for the five dietary categories.

Results: After adjusting for multiple variables, DDS was inversely associated with KDMAccel (β= -0.403, 95%CI: -0.492 to -0.314, P < 0.001) and PhenoAgeAccel (β= -0.545, 95%CI: -0.641 to -0.450, P < 0.001). Each 1-point increment in the DDS was associated with a 4.4% lower risk of KDMAccel and a 5.6% lower risk of PhenoAgeAccel. The restricted cubic spline plots demonstrated a non-linear dose-response association between DDS and the risk of AgeAccel. The consumption of grains (β = -0.252, β = -0.197), vegetables (β = -0.044, β = -0.077) and fruits (β = -0.179, β = -0.219) was inversely associated with the two AgeAccel, while meat and protein alternatives (β = 0.091, β = 0.054) had a positive association (All P < 0.001). Stratified analysis revealed stronger accelerated aging effects in males, smokers, and drinkers. A strengthening trend in the association between DDS and AgeAccel as TDI quartiles increased was noted.

Conclusions: This study suggested that food consumption plays a role in aging process, and adherence to a higher diversity dietary is associated with the slowing down of the aging process.