We know that very hot weather can feel uncomfortable, exhausting, and even dangerous. But new research shows that extreme heat may also speed up the aging process. Scientists say that spending too much time in high temperatures could increase the risk of diseases and other health problems linked to aging.
Researchers at the University of Southern California studied how heat affects aging. They used a method called epigenetic clocks, which measures chemical changes in DNA that are connected to aging. The team looked at blood samples from 3,600 older adults across the United States.
The results showed that for every 200 days of temperatures above 32.2°C over six years, people’s biological age increased by up to 3.5 months. This means that people living in very hot areas may age faster at the cellular level compared to those in cooler places.
Our bodies react to heat in different ways. Heat can cause dehydration, inflammation, and stress on cells. All of these can damage DNA and speed up epigenetic aging, which controls how our genes work as we get older.
The study suggests that extreme heat may change how DNA functions, making the body biologically older than its real age. However, not everyone is affected in the same way. Factors such as air conditioning, outdoor activities, and lifestyle choices may change the risk.
The researchers considered other factors like age, race, income, smoking, drinking, and obesity. But they did not study personal habits like how often people use cooling methods. The research focused on older adults, but scientists think younger people could also be affected. More studies are needed to understand how heat might influence all age groups.
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