Long-term exposure to extreme heatwaves may cause the body to age in ways similar to the effects of regular smoking or drinking alcohol, according to a new large-scale study of nearly 25,000 people. The research found that repeated exposure to heatwaves can push the body’s biological clock, potentially increasing the risk of chronic health conditions.
The study, published in Nature Climate Change, reviewed health data from 24,922 adults over 15 years. Researchers found a clear connection between cumulative exposure to heatwaves and higher biological age.
While not immediately visible, the internal wear and tear linked to these temperature extremes appears to mirror the toll seen in individuals who smoke or drink regularly. The findings suggest that heatwaves can age you as much as smoking or drinking, especially when exposure occurs over extended periods.
Biological aging accelerates with temperature exposure
To measure this impact, researchers analyzed health records from 2008 to 2022. Taiwan experienced approximately 30 heatwaves during that time, defined by the study as periods of abnormally high temperatures lasting several consecutive days.
Participants underwent various medical tests assessing liver, kidney, and lung function, as well as blood pressure and markers of inflammation. Researchers used this data to estimate each person’s biological age, which reflects how the body functions compared to chronological age.
Using residential data, the team calculated the amount of heat each participant was likely exposed to in the two years before their health examination. They discovered that every additional 1.3 degrees Celsius (2.3 degrees Fahrenheit) of heat exposure added roughly 0.023 to 0.031 years to a person’s biological age.
Although these numbers may seem small individually, lead author Cui Guo, an environmental epidemiologist at the University of Hong Kong, said the effects are significant when applied across populations and over time.
Rural and outdoor workers face higher risks
The research also identified vulnerable groups. Rural residents and manual laborers showed the most noticeable impact, likely due to limited access to air conditioning and increased time spent outdoors.
However, one surprising trend emerged: the aging effect of heat lessened over the 15 years. Guo suggested that better access to cooling technologies may have helped reduce the health burden, though the exact reasons remain unclear.
Paul Beggs, an environmental health scientist at Macquarie University in Sydney who was not involved in the study, called the findings unexpected.
He noted that while heat is known to strain organs and, in severe cases, can be fatal, the idea that it accelerates aging adds a new layer of concern. He said the results highlight the widespread vulnerability to climate change and support immediate action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Alexandra Schneider, an environmental epidemiologist at Helmholtz Munich in Germany, who was also not involved in the research, emphasized that even minor increases in biological age matter over time.
She said the study emphasizes a simple yet important message: prolonged heat exposure accelerates aging, and it is something people should try to avoid.
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