Twins have always been a reason for curiosity among researchers and a recent study by PLOS ONE has shed light on the fact that twins can also outlive most of us.
The findings came from observing the Danish Twin Registry, which is one of the oldest records about twins. The registry suggested that 84 out of 100 people in a general population were still alive at 45; while the number was 90 out of 100 for twins.
David Sharrow, a UW postdoctoral researcher in aquatic and fishery sciences, said that "We find that at nearly every age, identical twins survive at higher proportions than fraternal twins, and fraternal twins are a little higher than the general population.”
The authors also suggested that a better social connection resulting from having a companion from birth might also act as a factor for better health. Sharrow told Science Daily that, "There is benefit to having someone who is socially close to you who is looking out for you. They may provide material or emotional support that lead to better longevity outcomes."
The research also suggested that identical twins live longer than fraternal twins and cited evidence showing identical twins as closer to each other than fraternal twins, to shed light on this aspect.
Sharrow concluded saying, "Research shows that these kinds of social interactions, or social bonds, are important in lots of settings. Most people may not have a twin, but as a society we may choose to invest in social bonds as a way to promote health and longevity."
