Twins tend to live longer than the general population, with identical twins living longer than fraternal twins, according to a study of historical data on Danish twins. The increased social and emotional support system inherent in twins may contribute to their longevity. The twin birth rate in the Western world has increased 76% between 1980 and 2009, possibly due to improvements in fertility treatments. The Yoruba people of West Africa have the world’s highest twin birth rate, possibly due to the consumption of a yam with a natural phytoestrogen that can stimulate the ovaries to release more eggs. Women with a family history of fraternal twins are more likely to conceive fraternal twins due to a genetic tendency to hyper-ovulate.
By studying historical data on twins born in Denmark between 1870 and 1900, researchers at the University of Washington in Seattle have found that twins tend to live longer than the rest of the population. They also found that identical twins actually live longer than fraternal twins. On average, identical male twins lived longer than all types of twins in the study. Researchers have hypothesized that this longevity is at least in part due to the increased social and emotional support system inherent in twins.
Two for the price of one:
Approximately one in 80 births in the Western world results in twins. The twin birth rate increased 76 percent between 1980 and 2009, possibly as a result of technological improvements in fertility treatments.
The Yoruba people of West Africa have the highest twin birth rate in the world. Scientists have suggested that this may be due to society’s consumption of a yam with a natural phytoestrogen that can stimulate the ovaries to release more eggs.
Women who have a family history of fraternal twins are more likely to conceive fraternal twins themselves. The link, the researchers say, is a genetic tendency to hyper-ovulate.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
