Every year, millions of people take aspirin-not just for headaches or heart trouble, but because theyâve heard it might help them live longer. The idea sounds simple: if aspirin reduces inflammation, and inflammation speeds up aging, then maybe popping a low-dose aspirin every day could slow down the clock. But is it true? And more importantly, should you do it?
What aspirin actually does in your body
Aspirin, or acetylsalicylic acid, isnât just a painkiller. It blocks an enzyme called COX-1, which plays a key role in making prostaglandins-chemicals that cause pain, fever, and inflammation. Thatâs why it works for headaches and arthritis. But it also stops platelets from clumping together, which is why doctors prescribe it to people at risk of heart attacks or strokes. That anti-clotting effect is why itâs been studied for decades in older adults.
Whatâs less known is that aspirin also affects cellular aging. Chronic low-grade inflammation, often called "inflammaging," is a major driver of age-related diseases like Alzheimerâs, arthritis, and even some cancers. Studies from the University of California and the University of Oxford have shown that older adults with higher levels of inflammatory markers in their blood tend to decline faster physically and mentally. Aspirin, by reducing those markers, might theoretically interrupt that process.
The long-term studies: what the data says
The biggest clue came from the ASPREE trial, a major study published in 2018 that followed over 19,000 healthy adults aged 70 and older (65 for African Americans and Indigenous Australians) who took either 100 mg of aspirin daily or a placebo for nearly five years. The results surprised many. Aspirin didnât extend life free of disability. In fact, it slightly increased the risk of major bleeding-especially in the brain and gut-and didnât reduce the rate of dementia or physical decline.
But hereâs the nuance: people who took aspirin for more than two years showed a small drop in cancer deaths, particularly colorectal cancer. Thatâs consistent with earlier research from the 2010s showing aspirin may lower cancer risk over time. Still, the trade-off was clear: for healthy older adults without heart disease, the bleeding risk outweighed the benefits.
Another study from the University of Edinburgh tracked over 14,000 people for 10 years and found that those who took low-dose aspirin regularly had slightly longer telomeres-the protective caps on the ends of chromosomes that shorten as we age. Longer telomeres are linked to slower biological aging. But this was an observational study, not a controlled trial. It showed correlation, not causation. Maybe people who take aspirin daily are also more likely to eat well, exercise, or see doctors regularly.
Who might benefit-and who shouldnât try it
Aspirin isnât a one-size-fits-all anti-aging pill. For some, the risks are too high. If youâre over 70 and healthy, donât start aspirin just to live longer. The evidence doesnât support it.
But if youâve had a heart attack, stroke, or stent placed, or if youâre at high risk for cardiovascular disease (based on cholesterol, blood pressure, smoking, or family history), daily low-dose aspirin (usually 75-100 mg) is still recommended by the American Heart Association and the British Heart Foundation. In those cases, the benefit is proven.
People with a history of stomach ulcers, bleeding disorders, or kidney disease should avoid it. So should anyone taking blood thinners like warfarin or newer anticoagulants. Even over-the-counter NSAIDs like ibuprofen can interfere with aspirinâs protective effect on the heart if taken together.
And hereâs something most people donât realize: aspirinâs effect on inflammation isnât immediate. It takes months, sometimes years, to show any impact on biomarkers like CRP or interleukin-6. That means if youâre considering it for longevity, youâre committing to a long-term decision-not a quick fix.
What about younger adults?
If youâre under 50 and healthy, thereâs zero reason to take aspirin daily. The risk of bleeding is higher relative to your baseline risk of heart disease. Plus, your bodyâs natural inflammation control is still working fine. Taking aspirin now wonât give you a "head start" on longevity-it just adds unnecessary risk.
Some people think, "If it helps older people, why not start early?" But biology doesnât work that way. Aspirin isnât a vitamin. You donât build up a reserve. You donât get stronger by taking it over time. Itâs a drug with side effects that accumulate. The longer you take it, the more likely you are to develop stomach irritation, kidney strain, or a dangerous bleed.
Alternatives that actually work for slowing aging
If youâre looking to slow aging, aspirin isnât your best bet. There are proven, safer ways:
- Exercise: Just 150 minutes a week of brisk walking or cycling reduces inflammation markers by up to 30%, according to a 2023 study in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise.
- Sleep: Getting less than 6 hours a night raises IL-6 and TNF-alpha-two key inflammation drivers-by 40%. Prioritizing sleep is more powerful than any pill.
- Diet: The Mediterranean diet, rich in olive oil, fish, nuts, and vegetables, lowers CRP levels as effectively as low-dose aspirin, without the bleeding risk.
- Weight management: Fat tissue, especially around the abdomen, produces inflammatory chemicals. Losing just 5-10% of body weight can cut inflammation significantly.
These habits donât just reduce inflammation-they improve insulin sensitivity, boost mitochondrial function, and activate autophagy, the bodyâs natural cleanup process for damaged cells. Thatâs real anti-aging biology.
The bottom line: aspirin isnât an anti-aging miracle
Aspirin can help some people live longer-but only if theyâre already at high risk for heart disease or certain cancers. For healthy people, it doesnât slow aging. It just adds risk.
Thereâs no magic pill for longevity. The idea that popping a tablet every day will keep you young is appealing, but itâs not backed by solid science. What does work? Moving your body, eating real food, sleeping well, and managing stress. These habits have been proven across decades of research, across cultures, and across age groups.
If youâre thinking about starting aspirin for aging, talk to your doctor first. Donât assume itâs safe just because itâs cheap and over the counter. Itâs a drug. And drugs, even common ones, come with trade-offs.
The real secret to aging well isnât in a bottle. Itâs in your daily choices-and they cost nothing.
Can aspirin really slow down aging?
Aspirin reduces inflammation, which is linked to aging, but studies like ASPREE show it doesnât extend healthy lifespan in healthy older adults. It may lower cancer risk over time, but the risk of serious bleeding often outweighs that benefit. Itâs not a proven anti-aging treatment.
Is it safe to take aspirin every day?
Daily aspirin is only safe for people with a high risk of heart attack or stroke, under a doctorâs guidance. For healthy individuals, especially over 70, it increases the risk of internal bleeding without clear benefits. Never start daily aspirin without medical advice.
Does aspirin help with joint pain and arthritis as you age?
Yes, aspirin can relieve arthritis pain because it reduces inflammation. But itâs not the best choice for long-term use. Other NSAIDs like naproxen or non-drug options like physical therapy, weight loss, and glucosamine have better safety profiles for chronic joint pain.
Whatâs the best dose of aspirin for heart health?
For heart disease prevention, the standard dose is 75-100 mg per day. Higher doses donât offer more protection and increase side effects. Always use the lowest effective dose and never self-prescribe.
Can I take aspirin with other supplements like fish oil or turmeric?
Fish oil and turmeric also have anti-inflammatory effects and can thin the blood. Taking them with aspirin increases bleeding risk. If youâre on aspirin, avoid high-dose fish oil (over 1,000 mg EPA/DHA daily) and turmeric extracts unless your doctor approves it.
If youâre concerned about aging, focus on habits you can control: movement, food, sleep, and connection. Aspirin might help a small group of people with specific medical needs-but for most, itâs not the answer. The best anti-aging medicine is still a walk in the park, a good nightâs sleep, and a plate of vegetables.
Stacey Whitaker
October 31, 2025 AT 16:06Just took a walk in the park this morning. No aspirin. Just birds, sun, and my sneakers. Feels better than any pill ever could. đżđ
Kayleigh Walton
October 31, 2025 AT 20:59I love how this post breaks it down so clearly. So many people think ânaturalâ means âsafeâ-but aspirinâs a drug, plain and simple. If youâre not high-risk, skip it. Movement, sleep, and real food? Thatâs the real magic. Youâve got this. đŞ
Mitch Baumann
October 31, 2025 AT 23:41Letâs be real: if youâre popping aspirin because you watched a TikTok video titled âThe 1-Pill Anti-Aging Secretâ⌠youâre not âbiohackingâ-youâre just financially supporting Big Pharmaâs marketing department. đ¤Śââď¸ The real longevity stack? Cold showers, intermittent fasting, and not scrolling at 2 a.m. Also, telomeres arenât a Netflix series. đ
Sean Nhung
November 2, 2025 AT 02:06Wait so if I take aspirin and also eat fish oil⌠am I just asking for trouble? đ I thought both were âgood for youâ⌠guess I need to talk to my doc. Thanks for the heads up!
Gina Damiano
November 3, 2025 AT 11:31I started taking aspirin after my dad had a stroke. Iâm 48. Healthy. No heart issues. But I canât shake the fear. What ifâŚ? I know the study says no, but⌠what if Iâm the one it helps? I just need someone to tell me itâs okay to be scared.
Debra Callaghan
November 4, 2025 AT 17:56People who don't take aspirin are just lazy. If you really cared about living longer, you'd take the pill. It's not rocket science. Stop making excuses. Your diet doesn't matter if you won't even swallow a tiny tablet.
Joanne Haselden
November 6, 2025 AT 09:11From a clinical perspective, the ASPREE trial remains the gold standard here. The risk-benefit calculus shifts dramatically after age 70, and the bleeding hazard is non-trivial. I counsel patients: if you're asymptomatic and low-risk, the placebo effect is safer than the pharmacology. Also, Mediterranean diet > aspirin. End of story.
Reginald Matthews
November 7, 2025 AT 00:52My grandma took aspirin daily for 30 years. Never had a heart attack. But she had a GI bleed at 89. She said, âIâd rather have had the heart attack.â I think about that every time I see someone online saying âaspirin = youth.â Itâs not a supplement. Itâs a trade-off.
Saloni Khobragade
November 7, 2025 AT 16:21you people are so dumb. god gave us bodies to heal itself. why you take chemikal? pray more. eat less sugar. walk more. asprin is sin. god will punish you for this.
Emily Duke
November 9, 2025 AT 08:35Okay but⌠Iâve been taking 81mg for 5 years. My CRP dropped. My joints donât creak anymore. Iâm 68. I donât care what the âstudyâ says-I feel better. And Iâm not dying. So whatâs the harm? đ Also, I eat kale. And I walk. But I still take my little white pill. Donât judge me.
Stephen Tolero
November 9, 2025 AT 16:51Can you clarify the statistical significance of the telomere correlation in the Edinburgh study? Was the effect size controlled for lifestyle confounders? And what was the p-value for cancer mortality reduction?
Helen Moravszky
November 10, 2025 AT 08:36Hi, Iâm new here. I just lost my mom to colon cancer at 72. She took aspirin daily for 10 years. Iâm not saying it saved her-but Iâm also not saying it didnât. Iâm 54 now. Iâm talking to my doctor next week. If youâve been through this, Iâd love to hear your story. No judgment. Just⌠listening.