A new genetic study suggests that traits inherited from ancient hunter-gatherer genes may play a key role in helping some people live to 100 and beyond. Researchers in Italy found that centenarians carried a higher proportion of DNA from early European hunter-gatherers compared to the general population.
The findings, published in GeroScience, point to a strong connection between long life and genetic material passed down from Western Hunter-Gatherers, a group that lived in Europe after the Ice Age.
These early humans developed essential survival skills, such as tool-making and fire use, but they may also have handed down biological advantages that support longevity.
Genetic link to longevity in centenarians
To investigate the link, researchers analyzed the genomes of 333 Italians over the age of 100. Their DNA was compared to that of 690 healthy adults in their 50s. The team also looked at 103 ancient genomes representing four ancestral groups that contributed to the modern Italian gene pool.
These included Western Hunter-Gatherers, Anatolian Neolithic farmers, Bronze Age nomadic populations, and ancient groups from the Iranian and Caucasus regions.
All modern participants had a mix of ancestry from these four groups. However, only the genetic material from hunter-gatherers showed a measurable connection to lifespan.
The study found that a slight increase in this ancient DNA raised the likelihood of reaching 100 by 38 percent. The effect was even stronger in women, who were more than twice as likely to become centenarians if they had a higher share of this lineage.
How ancient hunter-gatherer genes may help longevity
The research team explained that the Western Hunter-Gatherer contribution, specifically from a group known as the Villabruna cluster, appears to support longevity in the Italian population.
The team believes these genetic traits may have developed thousands of years ago when early humans faced harsh climates and limited food during the Ice Age.
Giuseppe Passarino, one of the study’s authors, explained that these genes may have been naturally selected to improve metabolism and strengthen immune response. These adaptations could help the body manage stress and disease more effectively with age.
The study offers new insight into how ancient hunter-gatherer genes continue to influence human health today, particularly in regions with a high number of centenarians like Italy.
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