German researchers, in a study published in the US journal "Cell Metabolism," have reported that glucose, which is widely found in various foods, is one of the main sources of energy for the human body, and reducing glucose intake can lead to a longer lifespan.
Researchers found that after reducing the glucose intake of some worms, their maximum life expectancy could be extended by 25%, equivalent to 15 extra years for humans. Although reducing glucose intake increases the level of "free radicals" in the body, it also stimulates the establishment of a "defense line" to long-term resist the damaging effects of "free radicals."
"Free radicals" are normal byproducts of oxidative reactions in metabolism and are generally considered harmful to the body. Michael Ristow, the head of the study and an endocrinology expert at the University of Jena, Germany, said that the experiment showed that reducing glucose intake did initially increase the level of "free radicals" in the worms, but the significant increase in "free radicals," in turn, stimulated the worms to produce certain enzymes that can long-term resist the damaging effects of "free radicals."
Scientists have long known that controlling calorie intake can extend the lifespan of worms and monkeys, and this study may "pinpoint" reducing glucose intake as the pathway for controlling calorie intake.
Ristow said: "In the end, something bad led to some good. Similar to the experimental worms, the human body needs glucose, but excessive intake is unhealthy."