Experts Weigh In: Foods That Could Be Aging You Faster
Many researchers say that what you eat may accelerate biological aging. “Biological aging refers to the gradual deterioration of functional characteristics at the cellular and molecular levels, which can be influenced by lifestyle factors, including diet,” a dietitian with Top Nutrition Coaching, told Eat This, Not That. The website for health and nutrition collaborated with nutrition coaches and dieticians to compile a list of foods that are aging you faster.
At the top of the list is sugary cereals. They mention that cereals can be a “wholesome” breakfast but many on the market are full of sugar. When you’re getting most of your calories from sugar, it can cause rapid spikes in blood glucose. This can prompt the body to quickly release insulin to regulate those sugar levels. According to one of their experts, “overtime continuous fluctuation in blood sugar and insulin levels can lead to insulin resistance and increased oxidative stress.”
Could you be aging faster because of processed red meats?
Also at the top of the list are hot dogs and bacon. While having these food items on occasion they said that processed meats in your diet regularly “isn’t a smart move.” One of their experts went into further detail about processed red meats. They point out that processed red meats are rich in saturated fats and often contain preservatives like nitrates. They can contribute to biological aging by promoting chronic inflammation and oxidative stress in the body, said one of their experts.
Wrapping up the top three is alcohol. Apparently, alcohol can boost your chronological age in three ways, according to the list. It’s a diuretic, which means it makes you urinate more. They said this can lead to dehydration, resulting in dry and dull skin with an increased likelihood of wrinkles and fine lines. Alcohol hinders the absorption of vital nutrients such as vitamins B12 and folate, along with antioxidants. This can raise the risk of “age-related neurological disorders.” These include Alzheimer’s and dementia. Lastly, they highlight how alcohol can cause liver damage, potentially accelerating aging processes throughout the body.
Other foods on the list include redefined white flour, soda and sugary drinks, fried food, and others. Take a look at the complete breakdown and list here.
Caution: 6 Foods You May Want to Avoid at Restaurants
Tap Water
Even with filtration in place, restaurant water might not be as pristine as one would assume. A study conducted by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences revealed that approximately 3-10% of water systems in North America have annually violated health standards set by the Safe Drinking Water Act, and this includes restaurants, as reported by the water filtration company, Quench. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon to find germs and chemicals in restaurant tap water that could potentially affect the health of patrons. Common impurities detected in tap water supplies consist of microorganisms like bacteria, germs, parasites, and viruses, as well as substances like lead, chlorine, aluminum, pesticides, and others.
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Raw Sprouts
If sprouts aren’t properly stored and cleaned, they can become quite risky. Unfortunately, when ordering food at a restaurant, we may not witness this process. Sprouts are commonly cultivated in warm, moist conditions, which makes them an ideal breeding ground for bacteria, according to Health Digest. Recent outbreaks of E. coli and Salmonella have been potentially linked to these greens.
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Drink Garnishes
Bartenders often don’t have to follow the same stringent sanitary standards as the kitchen staff. As a result, the fruits used in drinks are likely to be unwashed, and they might sit out for days without refrigeration. According to Good Housekeeping, it’s worth giving a second thought to that citrus fruit you might be adding to your drink while dining out. A study revealed that 70% of these sliced fruits carry “over 25 different types of germs.” Contrary to popular belief, even alcohol doesn’t seem to do the trick in killing these germs. Good Morning America visited six restaurants and discovered that the lemons were teeming with “fecal matter” and even harbored the dreaded E. coli bacteria.
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Fish
Consider giving those impromptu “All-You-Can-Eat” fish special days a second thought. The fish served on such occasions is often leftovers from a shipment received a few days prior, which means it may not be at its freshest. According to Healthline, fish not stored at the proper temperature might become contaminated with a toxin known as histamine, which is produced by bacteria in the fish. Moreover, Healthline highlights that cooking at regular temperatures does not eliminate histamine, making it a potential cause of food poisoning.
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Bottled Ketchup
Whether your ketchup bottle is already on the table at a restaurant or brought to you by the server, chances are it has been handled by multiple people throughout the day or even longer. Making it a potential carrier of germs. Reader’s Digest explains that the reason these same bottles keep circulating is that the ketchup in each of them is often “married.” This means that as the volume of ketchup decreases in individual bottles, servers will combine the contents of several bottles into one. However, there is a downside to this practice: you may end up consuming ketchup of an unknown age or expiration date, leading to an unpleasant taste.
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Fresh Squeezed Juices
It might be worth reconsidering your choice, just as you skip adding garnishes to your drink. Freshly squeezed juices can be teamed with bacteria, unlike pasteurized juices. A study conducted by the MSU Extension reveals that most commercially sold juices in the United States are processed or pasteurized to eliminate harmful foodborne illness bacteria. However, when fruits are freshly squeezed into juice, there is a risk of harmful bacteria lingering in the finished product.
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