Recent research from Yale University has suggested that giving birth can reverse a woman’s biological age. The study analysed blood samples from 119 pregnant women, in different stages of pregnancy, to see how external factors such as behaviour and environment might have affected their bodies. They studied DNA-methylation patterns to ascertain their biological instead of their actual age. The results suggest that, while pregnancy can increase a woman’s biological age by up to two years, giving birth can reverse this by three to eight years. However, the results also suggested that those women who breastfeed exclusively may experience less obvious age reversal.
This research finds relevance in the rising “biohacking” trend, primarily followed by billionaire men who seek ways to increase their lifespan and remain in peak physical condition. These individuals often go to lengths like extreme fitness regimes, dieting, and advanced health monitoring as part of their bids to reverse their biological clocks. Notably, Australian billionaire Tim Gurner runs a private biohacking community in Melbourne, offering expensive anti-aging services such as red light therapy, intravenous (IV) drips, and hyperbaric oxygen chambers.
However, the application of these recent findings might be limited. Stanford University’s epidemiologist, Andres Cardenas, pointed out that factors such as lifestyle, diet, and environment also influence a person’s biological age. Moreover, the Yale study does not clarify whether the decrease in a woman’s biological age post-pregnancy would positively affect her health or lifespan later. As such, further detailed research on the subject is needed, suggests Kieran O’Donnell from Yale University, a co-author of the study.
The authors remind readers only to have a baby when they are mentally and financially ready for it, irrespective of the potential anti-aging benefits proposed by this research.
