A new study from the University of Tokyo suggests that greying hair could serve as a natural defense mechanism against cancer. According to researchers, hair color is determined by melanocyte cells that produce pigment. When these cells experience DNA damage or stress, they stop dividing and enter a state of rest instead of continuing to replicate. This process, known as senescence-coupled differentiation, prevents damaged cells from turning into cancerous ones. Lead researcher Dr. Shige Sukeshi explained that greying hair is not merely a sign of aging but an internal warning signal indicating the body’s protective response against potential cell mutations. The study also highlights that chronic stress, sleep deprivation, and unhealthy lifestyles accelerate melanocyte damage, leading to premature greying. Maintaining a balanced diet, regular exercise, and mental well-being can help preserve normal cell function and delay hair greying. The findings encourage viewing grey hair as a sign of the body’s resilience rather than simply a mark of aging.