Could reading a book or visiting a museum help you age more slowly? New research from University College London (UCL) suggests it might. A landmark study published in the journal Innovation in Aging found that regular arts and cultural engagement may slow biological aging at the DNA level. Furthermore, the effects are comparable to those seen with physical exercise.
What the UCL Study Found
Researchers analysed data from 3,556 adults in the UK. They drew on both survey responses and blood test results. The team then compared participants’ arts and cultural engagement with chemical changes to their DNA. Specifically, they examined DNA methylation — a process that influences biological aging without altering the genetic code itself.
The findings were striking. Adults who participated in arts and cultural activities more frequently showed a slower pace of aging. Moreover, those who engaged in a wider variety of activities appeared biologically younger. These differences showed up clearly in DNA-based measurements, lending strong scientific weight to the findings.
Who Benefits Most?
The links between arts engagement and slower aging were especially strong among adults aged 40 and above. Notably, the results held firm even after researchers accounted for BMI, smoking status, education level, and income. This suggests the benefits are broadly applicable, not limited to any particular group.
How Arts Engagement Compares to Exercise
The comparison with physical exercise is one of the study’s most compelling insights. People who did an arts activity at least once a week appeared to age 4% more slowly than those who rarely engaged. Remarkably, this matched the benefit seen in people who exercised at least weekly compared to those who did none at all.
Lead author Professor Daisy Fancourt from UCL’s Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care explained the significance: “These results demonstrate the health impact of the arts at a biological level. They provide evidence for arts and cultural engagement to be recognised as a health-promoting behaviour in a similar way to exercise.”
Measuring the Aging Difference
Using a test called DunedinPACE — one of two newer epigenetic clocks in the study — researchers found clear dose-response patterns. Doing an arts activity at least three times a year linked to 2% slower aging. Monthly engagement linked to 3% slower aging. Weekly activity linked to 4% slower aging. Importantly, this difference in aging pace is comparable to that between current smokers and ex-smokers.
Additionally, through a test called PhenoAge, weekly arts participants appeared biologically one year younger on average. Weekly exercisers, by comparison, appeared just over half a year younger.
The Role of Epigenetic Clocks
The study used seven epigenetic clocks in total. These tests measure age-related DNA methylation changes at different sites across the genome. However, only the two newest clocks — DunedinPoAm and DunedinPACE — detected significant benefits linked to both arts engagement and physical activity. The older clocks showed no such associations, likely because they are less sensitive to predicting age-related decline.
Senior author Dr Feifei Bu noted: “Our study provides the first evidence that arts and cultural engagement is linked to a slower pace of biological aging. This builds on a growing body of evidence about the health impact of the arts, with arts activities shown to reduce stress, lower inflammation, and improve cardiovascular risk — just as exercise is known to do.”
Why Diversity of Arts Activities Matters
Engaging in a variety of arts activities appears especially beneficial. Professor Fancourt explained: “Each activity has different ingredients that help health, such as physical, cognitive, emotional, or social stimulation.” Therefore, mixing reading with music, theatre, or gallery visits may offer broader health benefits than any single activity alone.
The research draws on data from the UK Household Longitudinal Study, a nationally representative sample. Participants’ blood samples were analysed to estimate both biological age and pace of aging. The study received funding from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and Wellcome.
Key Takeaways for Healthy Aging
Arts and cultural engagement is emerging as a genuine, evidence-backed health behaviour. Here is what the research suggests:
- Weekly arts participation may slow biological aging by up to 4%.
- Benefits are strongest for adults aged 40 and above.
- A diverse mix of activities delivers greater benefit than any single one.
- Arts engagement affects aging at the molecular, epigenetic level — not just the psychological.
- The effects are comparable to those of regular physical exercise.
Together, these findings suggest that museums, concerts, book clubs, and galleries are not just enriching — they may be genuinely good for your health at a biological level.
