Heat Waves Accelerate Body Aging Similar to Smoking or Alcohol, a 15-Year Study Finds

A new long-term study spanning 15 years has revealed that exposure to heat waves can have an effect on body aging comparable to that of smoking or drinking alcohol. Researchers analyzed health data from thousands of individuals and found that those who frequently experienced heat waves showed signs of biological aging at a faster rate than those who did not. These signs included changes in DNA and other indicators of cellular senescence. This finding suggests that climate change and extreme heat waves can have significant health impacts beyond just the risk of heatstroke and dehydration. Individuals should take necessary precautions to protect themselves from extreme heat, and governments and organizations should work to mitigate the effects of climate change.