Age-Accelerating Foods You Must Avoid
Slow down ageing with the right nutrition
Convenient foods that seem harmless could be speeding up the ageing process in your body. These ultra-processed products not only lack nutrition but also damage your cells, contributing to biological ageing.
A recent European study[1] analysed the diets of 22,000 middle-aged and elderly Italians, uncovering alarming findings: higher consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) was strongly linked to significantly increased markers of ageing. These UPFs included items like processed meats, cakes, pastries and fruit drinks.
Find out how these foods impact your body, why they contribute to ageing, and the steps you can take to slow down the process.
What are ultra-processed foods?
Ultra-processed foods go beyond your typical packaged items. Unlike minimally processed foods, they are engineered with high levels of refined carbohydrates, unhealthy fats, salt and synthetic additives. Examples include processed meats, sugary snacks, fizzy drinks and ready meals. Designed to be hyper-palatable, these foods are as hard to resist as your favourite dessert and can be just as addictive as alcohol, nicotine, or even cocaine.
Got a health issue you want to resolve? Ready to take charge of your family’s health or explore a career change?
The hidden dangers beyond nutrition
In the Italian study, researchers found that it’s not just the lack of nutrients in these foods but the industrial processes used to create them that could be the main culprits.
High-temperature cooking, chemical additives and plastic packaging expose consumers to harmful compounds like:
Acrylamide which is a toxin produced during high-heat cooking, such as frying or baking. It has been linked to an increased risk of cancer and can also damage nerve cells, leading to long-term health issues.
Furans and Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs) are compounds formed when ultra-processed foods are heated, especially during cooking or processing. They alter proteins in the body, leading to inflammation and oxidative stress, which accelerates the ageing process and can contribute to conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Bisphenols and phthalates are chemicals found in plastic packaging that are known endocrine disruptors. They interfere with hormonal balance, which can affect metabolism and reproduction, potentially contributing to weight gain, infertility and hormone issues.
Additives like emulsifiers and artificial sweeteners can disrupt the gut microbiome, triggering inflammation. This imbalance impairs glucose tolerance, raising the risk of diabetes, weight gain and metabolic syndrome. It can also affect mood swings and cognition. Industrial processing also alters the natural structure of foods, affecting how your body digests and responds to them.
So, even if your overall diet is healthy, indulging in UPFs can have significant consequences.
The addiction trap
What makes UPFs even more alarming is how they affect the brain. According to experts, these foods hijack the same reward pathways as addictive substances. When you eat them, your brain releases a surge of dopamine, the “feel-good” neurotransmitter which encourages you to keep coming back for more. Over time, this can lead to dependency, making it harder to control how much or how often you consume them.
Ageing from the inside out
Ageing isn’t just about wrinkles or grey hair. While your chronological age is simply the number of years you’ve lived, your biological age reflects the actual health of your body. And here’s the shocking part: even if you’re 40 years old, your biological age could resemble that of someone much older due to poor lifestyle choices – like consuming UPFs.
Markers of accelerated biological ageing linked to UPFs include shortened telomeres – DNA structures that protect chromosomes – which are a hallmark of ageing. UPFs are also associated with an increased risk of frailty, reduced physical resilience and strength, and a higher likelihood of cognitive decline and dementia.
How to slow down ageing
Slowing down the ageing process starts with the choices you make every day. Avoiding ultra-processed foods and adopting a nutrient-rich, wholefood naturopathic diet is crucial for supporting your body’s natural vitality. A diet based on fresh, unprocessed ingredients not only reduces inflammation but also provides the essential nutrients your body needs to repair and regenerate.
It’s equally important to manage stress and avoid negative lifestyle habits such as drinking coffee and alcohol, both of which can accelerate ageing. By prioritising nutrient-dense meals and healthy habits, you can help protect your physical and emotional wellbeing as you age.
Ready to reduce your biological age?
Download your FREE copy of the Naturopathic Diet to learn exactly how to nourish your body for long-term health and vitality. Simply fill in the form below to get started.
