A widely used diabetes medication, metformin, might have unexpected benefits for aging, although the reasons remain somewhat unclear.
A recent study indicates that this drug—known primarily for its role in managing type 2 diabetes—could significantly enhance the chances of older women living to 90 or beyond.
The findings, released in 2025, suggest that metformin may provide various anti-aging advantages.
Researchers from the United States and Germany analyzed data from a long-term study involving postmenopausal women.
They examined 438 participants, split evenly between those on metformin and those using a different diabetes drug known as sulfonylurea.
Though there are some limitations mentioned, the results showed that individuals on metformin had a 30 percent lower risk of dying before reaching 90 compared to those on sulfonylurea.
“Metformin is believed to target numerous aging pathways, making it a potential candidate for prolonging human life,” the researchers noted in their published study.
They observed that starting metformin correlated with enhanced longevity when compared to starting treatment with sulfonylureas for women with type 2 diabetes.
Metformin has been in use for decades and is classified as a gerotherapeutic—a drug that may reduce various aging processes in the body.
Research has shown that it can minimize DNA damage and enhance gene activity linked to longevity.
Other studies pointed out that metformin can slow brain aging and even decrease the likelihood of long COVID.
But it’s still uncertain whether metformin truly extends the lifespan, especially in humans—this inquiry is part of the study’s purpose.
Unlike a randomized controlled trial (RCT), this research didn’t assign participants randomly to treatments; they were following medical advice instead.
Furthermore, no placebo group was included, and the sample size was relatively small.
“Our study focused specifically on postmenopausal women over 60 with type 2 diabetes, so we can’t really say how it applies to men or younger individuals,” the authors cautioned.
They also highlighted that there are differences in type 2 diabetes between sexes, noting that women often face greater cardiometabolic risks at diagnosis and tend to have higher mortality rates.
On a positive note, the study had a robust follow-up period of about 14 to 15 years, which is much longer than what is typically seen in RCTs.
This extended observation helps in understanding the long-term effects of any treatment on lifespan.
“The long follow-up duration in our analysis offers a crucial advantage, allowing insights into the impact of treatments from midlife to ages 90 and older, which is usually impractical in standard RCTs,” the researchers mentioned.
They suggested that further RCTs could be beneficial for exploring these findings in more depth. Meanwhile, as populations age worldwide, research continues to seek methods to promote healthier aging and mitigate bodily damage over time.
The researchers concluded with thoughts on the geroscience hypothesis, which asserts that biological aging can be modified. Slowing this process could potentially delay or prevent various age-related diseases and disabilities.
A primary aim in this field of study is to discover new therapies and preventive measures that can help slow down biological aging.
The research appears in the Journal of Gerontology: Medical Sciences.
