Scientists from the University of Connecticut (USA) found that reducing calorie intake extends the lifespan of both old and young fruit flies. Research results published In PNAS (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences).
Fruit flies (fruit flies) were fed a special diet high in protein, sugar and calories to mimic the diet of humans with poor eating habits. Researchers have attempted to induce the development of metabolic disorders such as obesity and diabetes in animals. The flies were then placed on a different diet that involved reducing their caloric intake to half its previous value. It was noted that some fruit flies, whose data were included in the study, comply with this calorie intake from the moment they are born.
Young male flies that switched from a high-calorie diet to a low-calorie diet at 20 days of age lived very long lives; this lifespan was similar to that of insects that eat little from birth. The researchers were also surprised that calorie restriction extended the lifespan of older flies in poor health.
Older fruit flies raised on a high-calorie diet had more lipids in their bodies and expended more energy to protect their body cells from oxidation of reactive oxygen species. It is also noted that in old insects that survive up to 50-60 days (at this age the lifespan of most flies with metabolic disorders ends), when switching to a low-calorie diet, the metabolism changes and life expectancy increases significantly.
The researchers suggested that similar mechanisms could apply to human health. They noted that changing the diet of older adults with obesity may have a positive impact on their well-being and life expectancy. This means that people who have been malnourished for most of their lives may try to counteract the dangerous consequences by reducing the calorie intake of their diet. The researchers are now analyzing data from female fruit flies to see if there are any gender-related differences in response to feeding.
Previously was named A type of hazelnut that normalizes blood sugar and cholesterol levels.