Diet, mating, and aging: how reproduction and eating shape aging in humans and flies
Official title: The Interplay Between Diet and Mating Status in Influencing ovarian aging and Healthspan in Flies and Humans
Funded at Buck Institute for Research on Aging · NIH-11456350 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aging and healthspan may be influenced by how diet and reproductive timing interact, and this project will explore that connection in humans and fruit flies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Buck Institute for Research on Aging NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Novato, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $821,486 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AG096154-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11456350 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with a history of early-childbirth or reproductive events and individuals interested in aging and metabolic health.
✕Less likely to help
People without interest in how diet or reproductive history relate to aging may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers will combine data from large human cohorts with experiments in fruit flies to see how diet and mating/reproductive status influence aging of the reproductive system and overall health. They propose that early reproductive events and dietary patterns accelerate aging through conserved biological pathways, and that dietary restriction might modify these effects. The study will use population data to track aging-related changes and lab studies in Drosophila to uncover underlying mechanisms. The goal is to understand whether adjusting diet could mitigate age-related health risks tied to reproductive history.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could lead to dietary or lifestyle suggestions that help people manage aging risks related to reproductive history and diet.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests a link between reproductive timing and aging, with mechanistic data from model organisms supporting conserved pathways.
Where this research is happening
-
Buck Institute for Research on Aging
Novato, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kapahi, Pankaj — Buck Institute for Research on Aging
- Study coordinator: Kapahi, Pankaj
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.