Here is some excellent news for redheads to rejoice. Scientists have claimed that they have discovered the gene, called MC1R or the ginger gene, that is accountable for red hair and this gene also helps people to look much younger than their actual age.
Findings of a study into "perceived age" funded jointly by the Netherlands-based Eramus University Medical Center and Unilever and published in the journal Current Biology state that the first part of the human DNA discovered by researchers that apparently influences how old a person looks to others. The mutations were present in the genetic instructions and they help to protect the body from the ultraviolet (UV) radiations.
According to a senior scientist at Unilever, Dr. David Gunn, almost everyone is familiar with the supposed "perceived age." When one meets two people whom he/she has not seen for a decade, they notice that while one has not aged since they last met, while the other has aged significantly, BBC News quoted Dr. Gunn saying.
The study found that the "ginger gene" not only made one appear at least 2 years younger than their actual age, but even people with blonde hair, blue or other light colored eyes, and usually paler complexion, were also supposed as younger compared to their real age.
Scientists arrived at a conclusion on this by showing volunteers nearly 3,000 photographs of people devoid of makeup that helped them to change their appearance. Of these photos, it was found that as many as 2,693 of them possessed one common genetic marker: the ginger gene.
Nevertheless, the scientists are still not sure as to how the ginger gene precisely gives an individual his/her very own youthfulness or the perceived youth in the eyes of others who look at them. All the same, the study is colossal.
During an interview with BBC News, Professor Manfred Kayser said the most exciting part of the study is that they actually discovered the gene. He added that now that they have identified the first means, they expect to find more soon. The findings are exciting since this is a familiar phenomenon, which could not be explained thus far -- why some people appears relatively younger.
Since this is the first ever study on the so-called "perceived age," several other scientists are currently scrutinizing the findings.
According to Prof. Tim Frayling at the University of Exeter, the findings are certainly interesting as they reveal the manner in which genetics are able to affect the aging process aside from developing disease. Although the findings are interesting, the authors of the study have acknowledged the need to find more genetic variation to be able to predict an individual's appearance only from DNA.
Watch "Why younger people look old & older people look young" below:
