According to a study, reducing the number of calories consumed each day would reduce the risk of death and cell aging.
In order to cover our energy needs for the day, it is recommended to consume a certain number of calories per day. This number can vary according to gender, but also age and daily activity. Typically, a man needs to consume between 2,400 and 2,600 calories to be fit. In women, this figure is between 1,800 and 2,200.
However, this figure is given as an indication. In effect, what happens if we consume fewer calories than the average recommended intake? The question was recently the subject of a study by researchers at Columbia University in New York.
However, it appears that a consumption lower than the standards would have an impact on cellular ageing. In fact, eating fewer calories would allow us to age less quickly.
A large-scale project started in 2006 and focused on daily calorie consumption
This is not the first study of its kind to look into the subject. In fact, this is part of an investigation started in 2006: the CALERIE survey. This is the abbreviation for Comprehensive Assessment of Long-Term Effects of Reducing Intake of Energy. Through several researches, this investigation tends to demonstrate the benefits of reducing the calories ingested on our health.
Thus, a first study had revealed that reducing the recommended daily allowance slowed the aging of the liver, kidneys or immune system. Subsequently, a second study found that this reduction in caloric intake also reduced the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
Today, this new study confirms the theories of the researchers. Building on previous findings, the researchers challenged a panel of volunteers to reduce their recommended daily calorie intake by 25%. Result : those concerned would have reduced the risk of mortality by 10 to 15%. In the body, this results in a slowing down of aging ranging from 2 to 3%.
A phenomenon observed in animals and now confirmed in humans
In the past, researchers had conducted similar studies on animals before conducting tests on humans. However, it turns out that the same results had been observed in animals. One of the most important points about both types of studies is that in no case were the volunteers suffering from malnutrition.
Nevertheless, increased monitoring of the health of those concerned was required. Indeed, the researchers had to make sure they had the recommended dose of nutrients to avoid any immediate health problems. If the restriction of calories consumed had no impact on sleep, quality of life or cognitive performance of patients, one detail must be taken into account. In effect, it was very difficult for the volunteers to respect this 25% reduction.
In the end, the restriction was more around 12% spread over a period of 12 to 24 months. But researchers have observed a slowing down of cellular aging. However, further studies will need to determine the extent to which this reduction helps to slow aging.