SCIENTISTS DISCOVER: THE SECRET TO SLOWER AGEING MAY BE HIDING IN OUR GUT!

Can two people of the same age be ageing at different speeds? Scientists have found that part of the answer may lie in the billions of bacteria living in our digestive system. New research from the University of Hawaii, published on 27 October 2026, shows a significant link between gut bacteria and biological ageing. The researchers analysed blood and stool samples from 123 adults, comparing the make-up of their gut bacteria with biological markers of ageing. The results showed that differences in the gut microbiome were linked to roughly 15 percent of the variation in the pace of biological ageing. Scientists distinguish between chronological and biological age. Chronological age shows how many years we've lived, while biological age tries to estimate the state of our body. That means two people aged 50 can have different biological markers of ageing. The study identified certain species of bacteria that were linked to slower biological ageing. Among them, Bifidobacterium adolescentis stands out. On the other hand, the bacterium Succinivibrio dextrinosolvens was linked to faster ageing. The scientists stress that this doesn't mean the bacteria directly slow down or speed up ageing. Further research is needed before drawing such a conclusion. The gut microbiome changes under the influence of diet, lifestyle and environment. That is exactly why scientists believe that studying it further could help develop new approaches to healthier ageing. The research raises an important question: will we, by better understanding our gut bacteria, one day be able to influence how fast the body ages? For now, science has no proof that changing our gut bacteria can extend life. But the new findings show that the ageing process is far more complex than previously assumed. METLA | 27 October 2026