How does nutrition affect health and aging? Do they accelerate biological aging?
Dietary habits are the foundation of our health, but we often underestimate their influence on the aging process. How can we ensure long-term vitality by choosing the right food?
What does biological aging mean?
Biological aging is not just a number on a calendar, but a reflection of how well ours are working cells and tissues. Research shows that ours can food speed up or slow down this process.
Studies of thousands of people have shown that individuals who frequently consume processed foods have lower biological age, as you would expect given their ages. This means that unhealthy food affects not only our well-being, but also how quickly our body "ages from the inside".
Processed food – the silent enemy of youth
What does processed food even mean? These are foods that are intensively industrially processed and contain ingredients such as artificial additives in excessive amounts salt, sugar and unhealthy fats. These include products such as packaged snacks, sugary sodas, processed meats, instant meals, and even some products marketed as "healthy," such as fruit yogurts or fortified cereals.
These products are not only devoid of nutritional value, but have a harmful effect on the body. During intensive processing, they lose fiber and important nutrients that the body needs for optimal functioning. In addition, they often contain chemicals and toxins that burden our metabolism and increase the risk of chronic diseases.
How does diet affect the body?
Researchers have found that processed foods affect gut microbiome, which plays a key role in metabolism, the immune system and overall health. An imbalance between beneficial and harmful microorganisms in the gut can lead to chronic inflammation that accelerates aging and increases the risk of diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer and obesity.
In addition, consuming large amounts of sugar causes glycation, a process that damages cells and tissues, accelerating the aging of skin and organs. Studies have confirmed that a diet rich in sugar promotes chronic inflammation, which is linked to the development of many serious diseases.
Plastics and toxins - the hidden danger of packaging
Another important aspect of processed food is its packaging. A large part of these products are packed in plastic wraps, which can release toxic substances into the food. This kind toxins they are associated with hormone disorders, which further affects the aging process and impairs the body's functions.
How to prevent premature aging?
If you want to slow biological aging, the key is to reduce your intake of processed foods and focus on whole foods, such as:
Fresh fruits and vegetables - rich in antioxidants that protect cells from damage. Whole grains – a source of fiber for a healthy gut microbiome. Nuts and seeds – full of healthy fats that support brain function. Quality proteins, such as legumes, fish and lean meat.
In addition to nutrition, it is important that take care of regular physical activity, getting enough sleep and reducing stress. The combination of these factors helps slow down the aging process and keeps the body vital.
