Social connections slow down ageing - proven by scientists

Accumulated social benefits throughout the lifespan - from a warm parental relationship to supportive friends and community involvement - may slow aging at a molecular level.

Thestudy, published in the October issue of the scientific journal Brain, Behaviour and Immunity - Health, is based on data from more than 2,100 adults collected as part of the long-term MIDUS (Midlife in the United States) project.

The scientists, led by Cornell University psychology professor Anthony Ong, found: people with high levels of so-called "accumulated social advantage" have slower epigenetic aging and lower levels of chronic inflammation.

"We have shown that social connections don't just affect emotional well-being - they are directly linked to the molecular mechanisms of aging," Ong noted.

How is biological aging measured?

The study relied on analysing the so-called epigenetic clock - markers that assess the biological age of an organism. GrimAge and DunedinPACE, which have previously been shown to be particularly informative in predicting disease and mortality.

It turned out that participants with stable social ties - from childhood to adulthood - had a biological age significantly lower than the calendar age according to these clocks. These individuals also had reduced levels of interleukin-6, a molecule that promotes inflammation and is linked to a number of diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative disorders.

The authors identified four key components:

• Warmth and support from parents during childhood

• A sense of connection to the local community and neighbours

• Participation in religious or other community activities

• Emotional support from friends and family in adulthood

This study differs from previous studies in that it looks at social factors in combination rather than in isolation (e.g. having a partner or number of friends).

"It's not about a single friendly gesture or participation in a volunteering programme. What matters is how your social ties have been strengthened and expanded over decades," Ong emphasises.

The study also draws attention to uneven access to social resources. People from vulnerable groups - by race, economic or educational background - are more likely to lack sustained social support. This may accelerate biological aging and increase the risk of disease.

This finding is consistent with the "weathering" hypothesis, which posits that persistent stress and social inequality undermine health over time.

Social ties, as the authors note, can be compared to investing in a pension fund: the earlier you start and the more stable your contribution, the higher the return. And not just emotionally, but biologically as well.

"Good ageing is not only about healthy bodies, but also about healthy relationships," summarises Anthony Ong.