Nutritional interventions and telomere integrity: emerging evidence on the impact of diets on cellular longevity

Abstract

Telomeres, protective structures located at the ends of chromosomes, represent a key biomarker of cellular aging and susceptibility to chronic diseases. Current literature suggests that nutrition may influence telomere integrity through metabolic, epigenetic, and anti-inflammatory mechanisms. However, the optimal types of dietary interventions for preserving telomere length remain poorly defined. The aim of this article is to critically evaluate recent scientific evidence on the impact of various nutritional interventions on telomere length in adult populations, including healthy individuals, overweight individuals, and those with metabolic risk. Methodology: A systematic search was conducted in the Scopus database using relevant Boolean operators to identify randomized clinical trials published between 2000 and 2025. After applying eligibility criteria, 27 full-text, open-access articles were selected. The selection process followed the PRISMA guidelines, using a flow diagram for transparency. The included studies were comparatively analyzed based on intervention duration, dietary composition, telomere measurement methods (qPCR), and outcomes related to anthropometric and metabolic parameters.