Bacteria may extend longevity, study finds

In line with the old saying that a good diet cures more than a doctor, people have believed for some time that eating less can preserve health and extend life span.

But there has been little scientific evidence to show how cutting back on the calories can help.

However, scientific research published in Nature Communications on Tuesday could provide a new explanation. Calorie restriction promotes the growth of gut bacteria associated with increased life span in mice, according to a news release from the science magazine.