Article Impact Level: HIGH Data Quality: STRONG Summary of Cell Reports, 115577. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2025.115577 Dr. Diana Aguilar-Gómez et al.
Points
- Researchers studying the Haenyeo divers of Jeju Island identified a genetic variant linked to lower blood pressure that likely supports their ability to dive regularly in high-stress underwater conditions.
- This variant is over four times more common in Haenyeo than in mainland Koreans and may help reduce risks of pregnancy-related hypertension like preeclampsia, enhancing maternal safety during diving.
- A second genetic adaptation related to cold pain tolerance may explain the Haenyeo’s remarkable ability to dive year-round in near-freezing waters without interruption.
- These findings may help explain why the Jeju population experiences lower stroke mortality, possibly due to inherited traits that regulate blood pressure more effectively.
- The research opens new possibilities for developing treatments for hypertension and stroke by studying genetic adaptations in unique populations like the Haenyeo.
Summary
In a study published in Cell Reports, researchers examined the Haenyeo, a group of all-female divers from Jeju Island, South Korea, to identify genetic adaptations that may aid in their exceptional diving abilities. These women, known for diving up to 60 feet deep to harvest seaweed and abalone, perform daily, long-term dives in cold water. The study found two significant genetic changes linked to their unique diving physiology, including one related to blood pressure regulation during breath-hold diving. Haenyeo divers were more than four times as likely as mainland Koreans to have a genetic variant associated with lower blood pressure while diving. This genetic trait likely helps mitigate pregnancy-related hypertension, such as preeclampsia, by reducing blood pressure in the high-stress environment of diving. The researchers speculate that this adaptation could make diving during pregnancy safer for the Haenyeo, preventing life-threatening complications for both the mother and the unborn child.
The study also identified a second genetic adaptation related to cold pain tolerance. Haenyeo divers continue to dive in frigid waters, often in temperatures close to freezing, without stopping their activity. Though the researchers did not directly measure cold tolerance, they found a genetic variation associated with pain response to cold. This may allow these women to continue diving even in harsh conditions. The researchers plan to investigate this potential adaptation in future studies further to understand its role in their year-round diving practices.
The findings from this study are significant for understanding the evolutionary biology of the Haenyeo and their potential to inform broader healthcare practices. The genetic traits identified in this unique population may contribute to a lower incidence of stroke mortality in the region, potentially offering insights into blood pressure regulation and stroke prevention. Understanding these adaptations may also provide valuable therapeutic approaches for managing hypertension and other related health conditions in the wider population.
Link to the article: https://www.cell.com/cell-reports/fulltext/S2211-1247(25)00348-1
References Aguilar-Gómez, D., Bejder, J., Graae, J., Ko, Y., Vaughn, A., Clement, K., Tristani-Firouzi, M., Lee, J.-Y., Nordsborg, N. B., Nielsen, R., & Ilardo, M. (2025). Genetic and training adaptations in the Haenyeo divers of Jeju, Korea. Cell Reports, 115577. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2025.115577
