Suntory Wellness Collects and Analyzes Biometric and Health Data from Approx. 1,500 Individuals to Explore the Relationship Between Aging, Lifestyle, and Health

The Institute for Life Sciences at Suntory Wellness Ltd. has collected and analyzed biometric and health data from approximately 1,500 adult men and women to investigate the relationship between aging, lifestyle habits, and health status.

The research results were presented on Saturday, May 16, at the 80th Japan Society of Nutrition and Food Science.

▼ Presentation Title
"Analysis of Observational Data on Aging, Lifestyle Habits, and Wellness Indicators"
- Biometric indicators and the intake of Glucosamine Hydrochloride, Chondroitin Sulfate, and Quercetin Glycoside
- The relationship between the cell senescence marker p16 in human blood and biometric indicators among Japanese people
- Comprehensive evaluation of factors associated with fatigue using machine learning and SHAP analysis

▼ Presenters
Institute for Life Sciences, Suntory Wellness Ltd.
Kosuke Suzuki, Chie Araki, Takakiyo Naganawa, Kazuki Fujimoto, Keisuke Yasumoto, Hisataka Tokuda, Daisuke Takemoto, Toshiaki Sueyasu, Takayuki Izumo, Yoshihiro Nakao

▼ Research Background
Suntory Wellness Ltd. delivers health foods, cosmetics, and beauty products to over 2 million customers annually through mail order. The Institute for Life Sciences aims to utilize ongoing touchpoints with these customers to continuously record and analyze the connection between lifestyle habits and physical/mental health. The goal is to contribute to a society where everyone can continue to live vibrantly and authentically, regardless of age.

▼ Methodology
Subjects were recruited from the general public and customers who regularly purchase Suntory Wellness products. The survey was conducted in two locations (Kanto and Kansai) with approximately 1,500 adult men and women*1, including about 1,000 Suntory Wellness customers.
Through medical examinations and questionnaire surveys, the study collected and analyzed approximately 3,800 items of biometric data (blood, urine, saliva, etc.) and health data (lifestyle habits including diet and exercise, motor function, cognitive function, etc.).
*1 Individuals in their 20s to 80s, average age 60.1 years.

▼ Research Period
June 2023 - January 2026

▼ Results
- Regarding "Biometric indicators and the intake of Glucosamine Hydrochloride, Chondroitin Sulfate, and Quercetin Glycoside"
Subjects who consumed supplements containing Glucosamine Hydrochloride, Chondroitin Sulfate, and Quercetin Glycoside for more than 1 year (median: 2.3 years) reported less knee discomfort, better ease of walking in daily life, and better sleep scores compared to those who consumed them for 1 year or less (median: 0.7 years). This suggests a positive correlation between the long-term intake of these three ingredients and good conditions of the knees and sleep.

- Regarding "The relationship between the cell senescence marker p16 in human blood and biometric indicators among Japanese people"
It was confirmed that the cell senescence marker p16 increases with age among Japanese people as well. Furthermore, subjects with high p16 expression levels were found to have shorter telomere G-tail lengths*2—which are thought to be related to the progression of cell senescence—and higher expression levels of cellular inflammation markers.
*2 The length of the G-tail, the slightly protruding part at the tip of the telomere at the end of a chromosome. The G-tail is a single-stranded DNA located at the very end.

- Regarding "Comprehensive evaluation of factors associated with fatigue using machine learning and SHAP analysis"
By combining biometric/health data with AI analysis, it was suggested that fatigue, whose causes were previously difficult to pinpoint, is related not only to physical factors such as exercise and sleep but also to psychological factors such as feelings of loneliness and relationships with others. Furthermore, it was indicated that fatigue is caused by a combination of multiple factors, and these factors differ from person to person. This presentation also received the "Japan Society of Nutrition and Food Science Topics Award"*3.
*3 An award presented to broadly publicize highly topical and practical research results to society. This year, 25 presentations were selected.

▼ Future Prospects
This research is part of the "Wellness Life Research," a medium- to long-term research project by Suntory Wellness that utilizes continuous customer touchpoints to clarify the impact of aging and lifestyle on health. This marks the results of the first phase. Through this project, the company will build a system for collecting and analyzing large-scale biometric and health data, and utilize the research results in future product and service development to contribute to realizing a wellness lifestyle for the people.

● About the Japan Society of Nutrition and Food Science
The Japan Society of Nutrition and Food Science was established in 1947 to promote the advancement and dissemination of nutritional and food sciences. Its purpose is to contribute to academic development and the promotion of national health in Japan by presenting research, exchanging knowledge, and providing information on the theory and application of these sciences. It is a large-scale academic society with over 3,500 members.