The Old Man and the Semen

A recent study shows that children who are born to older fathers live longer lives. Researchers discovered that “telomeres,” which are the caps on the end of DNA cells, protect against aging in much the same way a plastic shoelace tab protects the lace from fraying. Its enclosure makes these cells stronger in fighting off disease.

"Consistent with the fact offspring inherit half their chromosomes from sperm,” said Professor Christopher Kuzawa, an anthropologist at Northwestern University, “offspring of older fathers tend to have longer telomeres."

Associated with biological aging, telomeres are a kind of “chromosomal clock.” Most telomeres shorten after time but with sperm it’s quite the opposite. They lengthen making them biologically younger and healthier. And therefore making older men a great catch.

It’s tough to swallow, but there might be more to that old guy at the gym who stares. He has chivalry, wisdom, access to Denny’s early bird special, senior discounts to the movies and for the bus ride home and a life savings ripe for picking.

The list of benefits for dating that old dude may be long but his telomeres are even longer.