Dietary microRNAs in aging: sources, mechanisms, translational potential, and future directions.

Abstract

In recent years, the intensifying global aging trend has made anti-aging research a critical area of scientific interest, with dietary interventions playing an essential role. Among dietary components, food-derived microRNAs (miRNAs), emerging as biologically active nutrients, have attracted increasing attention. Accumulating evidence indicates that dietary miRNAs may exert anti-aging effects by modulating gene expression and influencing key signaling pathways related to antioxidant defense, inflammation resolution, and metabolic homeostasis. Notably, recent studies have demonstrated the potential cross-species transfer of dietary miRNAs, highlighting their biological availability and functional relevance in mammalian systems. This review systematically summarizes current advances regarding the anti-aging potential of miRNAs derived from plant-, animal- and microbe-based foods, discusses underlying molecular mechanisms, and critically evaluates their realistic potential and limitations in dietary anti-aging strategies. Finally, we highlight open questions and propose future directions to harness dietary miRNAs as viable nutritional interventions for promoting healthy aging.