We all know that Gluttony has a long and sorted history, now researchers are affirming that the deadly moniker for this sin has some weight behind it (pun intended).

A new study that found that a lower-calorie diet slowed the aging process in monkeys could be the best proof yet that restricted diets might do the same for humans.

“The big question in aging research is, ‘Will caloric restriction in species closely related to humans slow aging?’” said Richard Weindruch, senior author of a paper appearing in the July 10 issue of Science. “This is the first clear demonstration that, in a primate species, we’re inducing a slowdown of the aging process — showing increased survival, resistance to disease, less brain atrophy and less muscle loss.

The new, two-decade-long study ultimately involved 76 rhesus monkeys, all of whom started the study as adults (aged 7 to 14 years). Thirty-three monkeys are still alive, 13 of whom are allowed to eat as they like. The other 20 are allowed a diet with 30 percent fewer calories.

Eighty percent of the original monkeys eating fewer calories are still alive, versus half of those in the control group, the researchers reported.

Among the benefits enjoyed by the lower-calorie group: fewer cancers, less cardiovascular disease, better preserved brain health (especially in regions of the brain involved in motor control and memory) and no diabetes whatsoever, despite this being a common problem in monkeys.

Source:  HealthDay

More information

For more on various aspects of growing older, head to the U.S. National Institute on Aging.