Urine Test Could Reveal Real Age and Life Span
Posted on 02 Jan 2026
Chronological age does not always reflect how quickly the body is aging, as biological age is shaped by genetics, stress, sleep, nutrition, and lifestyle factors such as smoking. A higher biological age has been linked to poorer health outcomes and earlier mortality, but current tests are often invasive or costly. Researchers have now developed a urine-based approach that estimates biological age by analyzing molecular signals linked to cellular aging. The method offers a simple, non-invasive way to assess aging-related health risk.
In the research led by Craif (Nagoya, Japan), the team focused on epigenetic signals found in urine, specifically microRNAs (miRNAs), which are small molecules involved in regulating gene expression and cellular function. Because urine collection is easy and non-invasive, the team aimed to create a practical biological aging test that could be applied at scale.
The researchers analyzed urine samples from more than 6,300 individuals undergoing cancer screening programs in Japan. Participants also provided information on daily habits such as smoking and alcohol intake. Using sequencing data from urinary miRNAs, the team applied machine-learning algorithms to generate an “aging clock,” with separate predictive models developed for men and women to improve accuracy.
The urine-based aging clock predicted biological age with an average error of about 4.4 years. Certain miRNAs previously linked to cancer biology, including miR-155-5p and miR-34a-5p, contributed strongly to the model. The findings were published in npj Aging, where the researchers reported that the urine test was slightly less accurate than DNA methylation clocks but exceeded the performance of blood-based miRNA and mRNA aging models.
The study suggests that urinary miRNAs could serve as accessible biomarkers for biological aging and disease risk. Compared with blood tests, urine sampling may enable broader screening and repeated monitoring with minimal burden to patients. The researchers note that interest in biological age testing is growing rapidly, particularly in preventive and longevity-focused medicine, and future work will focus on refining accuracy and linking results more directly to long-term health outcomes.
According to the researchers, the model “outperformed blood-based miRNA and mRNA clocks,” concluding that urine miRNA analysis represents “a promising, truly non-invasive biomarker of biological age and disease risk,” highlighting its potential for scalable and accessible aging assessment.
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