Tempeh, a fermented soybean, extends lifespan via MAPK pathway and improves healthy aging in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Tempeh, a traditional fermented soybean product, is widely consumed for its nutritional and health-promoting properties, but its impact on aging is still unclear. In this study, we investigated the effects of tempeh on lifespan and healthspan using C. elegans as the study model. Soybean and tempeh extracts at concentrations between 50 and 200 μg/ml were tested. Both treatments significantly extended mean lifespan, with the greatest effect observed at 100 μg/ml. Tempeh required skn-1 and pmk-1 to extend the lifespan of C. elegans, suggesting PMK-1-SKN-1 pathway as the key signaling pathway, and independent to caloric restriction, insulin/insulin-like growth factor signaling, AMP-activated protein kinase, or sirtuin signaling pathways. Tempeh treatment at both 50 μg/ml and 100 μg/ml significantly improved healthspan during midlife, and reduced intracellular reactive oxygen species levels compared to the control group in C. elegans. These findings indicate that tempeh may promote healthy aging by enhancing oxidative stress resistance through MAPK signaling pathway. This study highlights the potential of tempeh as a functional food source for healthy aging improvement.