The Study
Effect of long-term caloric restriction on DNA methylation measures of biological aging in healthy adults from the CALERIE trial
This study found that eating fewer calories for two years slightly slowed a special molecular clock that tracks how fast your body is aging. But it didn't prove that people live longer or get sick less — just that one tiny sign of aging changed a little bit.
Analysis score
Maximum 90 for a randomized controlled trial.
Where the score came from
Scientists tested if eating 25% fewer calories for 2 years makes your body age slower, using a special blood test that tracks how fast you're aging.
Where does this study sit?
Reviews of RCTs (Meta-analyses)
Max 100Randomized Trials
Max 90Reviews of Cohort Studies
Max 85Cohort Studies
Max 72Reviews of Case-Control Studies
Max 63Case-Control Studies
Max 58Cross-Sectional & Case Series
Max 50Expert Opinion
Max 565 / 100
Quality score
Participants are randomly assigned to treatment or control groups, minimizing bias. The gold standard for testing whether an intervention causes an effect.
Key takeaways
Summary
Based on the study abstract and findings.
- 1Even a small 2–3% slowdown in aging could mean people live healthier longer — similar to the benefit of quitting smoking.
- 2People who ate fewer calories aged 2–3% slower on the DunedinPACE test, but their overall 'biological age' didn't change on other tests.
Score breakdown, methodology, conflicts of interest, evidence analysis & raw study data
Publication
Journal
Nature aging
Year
2023
Authors
Waziry R, Ryan Cp, Corcoran Dl, Huffman Km, Kobor Ms, K. M, Graf Gh, Kraus Vb, Krauss We, Lin Dts, Pieper Cf, Ramaker Me, Bhapkar M, D. Sk, Ferrucci L, Hastings Wj, Kebbe M, Parker Dc, Racette Sb, Shalev I, Schilling B, Belsky Dw
Related Content
Claims (4)
In humans, eating fewer calories slows the biological aging process as measured by the DunedinPACE biomarker.
Caloric restriction in animals fed ad libitum extends lifespan by reducing the pathological consequences of overnutrition, but does not necessarily increase maximum species lifespan.
Sustained caloric restriction in humans reduces the rate of biological aging as measured by epigenetic biomarkers.
Sustained caloric restriction in humans slows the pace of biological aging as measured by DunedinPACE.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.