Ever wondered why all American Presidents have got their hair turn grey? A recent study seems to have given the answer of the same, and has revealed that stress is the main cause of graying of hair and also makes a person age faster.

Study researchers from Brigham and Women’s Hospital said that scientific reason of the same is the shortening of telomeres, which act as armors for chromosomes, and protect them from getting damaged.

In order to reach at the above given result, the study researchers assessed 5,200 women and asked them certain questions in regard to phobic anxiety. Some of the questions being asked were related to fear to crowds, heights and specific situations.

It was found that women, who were having anxiety disorder, were found to be having short telomeres. In contrast, women, who did not have any such phobia, were found to be having normal telomeres.

Lead researcher Dr. Olivia Okereke, who is a psychiatrist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, said, “Those who have phobic anxiety tend to develop symptoms during childhood and their symptoms are usually chronic and long-lasting”. In addition, long telomeres also indicate about reduced risk of cancer, heart disease and any other chronic disease.