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Credit: https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/what-are-ultra-processed-foods-and-are-they-bad-for-our-health-2020010918605

Ultra-processed foods could be shedding years off your lifespan

April 2, 2021

While many of us savor the delights of a juicy burger and a coke, researchers believe that our dietary habits could be costing us more than just a great summer body.
Scientists from the University of Navarra have discovered that the consumption of ultra-processed foods might be shortening telomeres on a cellular level.
Telomeres are structural biomarkers that determine the rate at which biological aging in our body takes place.

Slow down on those processed foods because they may be affecting more than just your weight. Indeed, binging on ultra-processed foods might not only be adding pounds to the scale, but shedding years from your lifespan. This is according to a new study carried out by researchers from the University of Navarra—Pamplona, Spain. The team has discovered that regular consumption of ultra-processed foods might be shortening telomeres; which are essential biomarkers in biological aging. The study—which was presented at the European and International Conference on Obesity in September of 2020—revealed that telomeres were twice as likely to be shorter in people who consumed plenty of ultra-processed foods (at least three times a day) over a long period of time. On a cellular level, having shorter telomeres is linked to accelerated biological aging; which means that certain diets can cause you to age faster than other alternatives! Because of the cheapness and availability of ultra-processed foods, global consumption is increasing at an alarming rate; all while fresh food consumption is on a steady decline. In fact, you’ll find combos like burgers, fries, and a coke in several places around the city; but restaurants that sell wholesome foods are expensive and hard to find. What’s even more alarming is that these 2 to 3-dollar combos offer little to no nutritional value; and are simply laden with starch, sugars, and fats. However, their biggest selling point is convenience. You see, ultra-processed combos are pocket-friendly to the consumer, and their low-cost ingredients generate massive profits for the manufacturer. But eventually, the consumer bears the brunt of this toxic relationship; as the regular consumption of ultra-processed foods can lead to type 2 diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and depression. Suffice to say, these conditions don’t play well with biological aging. During the study, the team wanted to discover the exact link between ultra-processed food consumption and biological aging. They used data obtained from a 1999 study carried out in Spain; where volunteers over the age of 20 were required to self-report after every 2 years what they consumed through an emailed questionnaire; as well as provide researchers with a saliva sample. By the end of the study, the team discovered that high consumption of ultra-processed foods increased the chances of having shorter telomeres. “In this cross-sectional study of elderly Spanish subjects we showed a robust strong association between ultra-processed food consumption and telomere length. Further research in larger longitudinal studies with baseline and repeated measures of TL is needed to confirm these observations,” commented authors of the study. Indeed, this emphasizes the importance of eating clean and steering clear of ultra-processed foods to enhance biological aging and improve longevity.

References: https://interestingengineering.com/eating-ultra-processed-foods-makes-you-age-faster-study-finds

Ultra-processed foods could be shedding years off your lifespan

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