Research

Hormonal

Small molecule sirtuin activators, specifically polyphenols like resveratrol, extend lifespan in yeast by mimicking the effects of calorie restriction through the activation of Sir2.

While direct human lifespan extension is not yet proven, consuming plant-based polyphenols (like resveratrol found in grapes) may activate longevity pathways (sirtuins) that mimic the benefits of calorie restriction. This suggests that a diet rich in stressed plants (grapes, peanuts, medicinal herbs) could support cellular health and stress resistance.

ModerateSupportsMEDIUM confidence
Interestingly, a class of polyphenolic molecules produced by plants in response to stress can activate the sirtuins from yeast and metazoans. At least in the case of yeast, these molecules greatly extend lifespan by mimicking CR.
Dudley W. Lamming et al. · Molecular Microbiology · 2004

Why this rating

The paper is a review of existing studies, citing yeast data strongly but noting that experiments in C. elegans and Drosophila are 'so far seem promising' without detailed results.

Source

MicroReview: Small molecules that regulate lifespan: evidence for xenohormesis

Dudley W. Lamming et al. · Molecular Microbiology · 2004

DOI 10.1111/j.1365-2958.2004.04209.x

narrative_reviewCited 231×
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DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10

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