Influence of dietary factors on the longevity of Drosophila

Abstract

Dietary restriction or modifying the protein carbohydrate ratio can influence the lifespan in Drosophila melanogaster. The effect of sugar and protein in the diet on the longevity of the fly was studied. Increased levels of dietary yeast resulted in higher levels of protein storage in the body. Adiposity attained by the fly was strongly correlated with the amount of sugar in the diet and inversely related to the concentration of dietary yeast. Longevity showed little relationship to the caloric content of the food, but a strong relationship between the carbohydrate protein ratio of the dietary source and lifespan was noted.