Centenarians' longevity linked to hunter-gatherer DNA, Italian study finds

A study of more than 1,000 Italians, including 333 centenarians, found that people who reach age 100 tend to carry more genes tied to Western European Hunter-Gatherers (WHG) than others in the group. The researchers compared modern genomes with ancient DNA from Bronze Age herders and Middle Eastern Neolithic farmers, and reported that centenarians showed a higher affinity to WHG-related ancestry. They cautioned that the pre-Neolithic component could be beneficial for longevity today, though how the DNA would influence aging remains to be studied.

The study was led by researchers at the University of Bologna and published in the journal GeroScience. The team analyzed genetic data from Italian participants and linked longer life to a higher proportion of WHG ancestry, with no other ancestral lines showing a similar association.

The researchers noted that centenarians carried a significantly higher number of WHG-related mutations compared with non-centenarians in the cohort. They emphasized that the precise mechanisms by which this DNA would influence longevity are not yet understood. The findings add to a long history of human hunter-gatherer genetics and contextualize longevity within deep ancestry. Mesolithic Western European Hunter Gatherers were among the early post–Ice Age inhabitants of Europe, living roughly 9,000 to 14,000 years ago and characterized by adaptations to a mixed diet of plants, nuts, and wild game.

Beyond genetics, scientists note that lifestyle factors continue to shape longevity. The hunter-gatherer theme persists in the broader narrative of human history, with many cultures incorporating physical activity and social connectivity as protective elements. Modern health researchers emphasize that staying active, maintaining social ties, and managing stress are associated with longer, healthier lives. The world’s long-lived populations—often described as 'Blue Zones'—tend to share regular physical activity, strong social networks, and purposeful living, even as their genetic backgrounds differ.

In recent years, longevity statistics have shown more people living to 100 than ever before. In the United Kingdom, Office for National Statistics data published earlier this year indicated that more than 16,600 people aged 100 or older were alive in 2024, a figure that has roughly doubled since 2004. Women accounted for the majority of centenarians in the UK, a pattern observed in many countries. The record for the oldest verified human is Jeanne Calment, who lived to 122, though the unit’s historical figures are complex and subject to ongoing verification. Contemporary researchers stress that centenarian status results from a combination of genetics, lifestyle, and environment, rather than a single determinant.

The study’s authors said that work remains to be done to understand how WHG-related ancestry might influence aging processes. While the discovery points to a link between ancient European ancestry and extreme longevity, it does not imply that inheriting WHG DNA guarantees a longer life. Further research, including functional studies and cross-population analyses, will be needed to determine whether particular gene variants act through metabolic, inflammatory, or other pathways to affect aging.