Genetic Insights from All-Women Extreme Divers Reveal Links to Blood Pressure and Cold Tolerance

A recent genetic study focusing on a group of all-women extreme divers off the coast of Korea has uncovered significant genetic variations that may contribute to their remarkable ability to withstand the rigorous conditions of free-diving. These findings shed light on physiological adaptations related to blood pressure regulation and cold tolerance, offering potential avenues for advancing health treatments.

The research was conducted among the Haenyeo women, who have spent their entire lives engaging in deep-sea diving off Jeju Island, South Korea. These women regularly dive up to 60 feet below the surface to harvest seafood, spending hours immersed in water year-round. Historically vital to Jeju's economy and culture, the practice is now declining, with most divers now in their 60s and 70s.

Melissa Ilardo, Ph.D., an assistant professor at University of Utah Health Sciences and the study's senior author, praised these women for their extraordinary resilience. She noted, "Every day, they venture into the water, often diving into their 80s, demonstrating incredible longevity and adaptation."

The study involved measuring physiological parameters like blood pressure and heart rate, followed by DNA sequencing of participants. The team discovered two genetic changes that appear to enhance diving efficiency. Notably, one variation is linked to lower blood pressure, which could help protect divers and their offspring during pregnancy, especially given the increased blood pressure that comes with breath-hold diving.

This genetic adaptation might be vital for pregnant divers, as elevated blood pressure poses risks such as preeclampsia that can threaten lives. The ability to manage blood pressure in these conditions suggests a superpower-like resilience, emphasizing the unique genetic makeup of the Haenyeo women.

Additionally, a second genetic difference associated with cold pain tolerance was identified. Despite winter temperatures near freezing, the women continue diving, indicating that their genetic makeup might contribute to cold resilience. While further research is needed to confirm this, the findings highlight how long-term practice combined with genetic factors facilitates such extraordinary endurance.

Beyond individual adaptations, the study hints at broader health implications. For example, the lower incidence of stroke mortality on Jeju Island compared to the broader Korean population might be connected to these genetic traits, potentially offering new insights into stroke prevention.

Overall, this research emphasizes the significance of innate genetic traits intertwined with lifelong practice in enabling the Haenyeo women to perform their demanding work. These discoveries could pave the way for novel medical approaches to managing blood pressure and other related health conditions.

Source: Medical Xpress

Published in: Cell Reports, 2025. DOI: [10.1016/j.celrep.2025.115577]