UPFs linked to premature ageing
While your actual age is determined by how many birthdays you’ve had, your biological age describes how old your cells look and function. This study of over 22,000 Italian adults found those eating the most ultra-processed foods (UPFs) had accelerated biological ageing of around four months compared to those eating the least. That may not sound like much but will likely accumulate with time.
Also, those eating the most UPFs in this study were getting just 14 per cent of their energy from them while in the UK, UPFs make up an estimated 60 per cent of our diets – more than any other country in Europe! The authors suggest the harmful effects may not just be due to the lack of nutrients but could be because of acrylamide – a neurotoxic chemical that forms when food is processed at high temperatures – or chemicals leached from plastic packaging. Because of their extended shelf life, UPFs can stay in contact with packaging for a considerable time.
Esposito S, Gialluisi A, Di Castelnuovo A et al. 2024. Ultra-processed food consumption is associated with the acceleration of biological aging in the Moli-sani Study. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Epub ahead of print.
About the author
Dr. Justine Butler
Justine joined Viva! in 2005 after graduating from Bristol University with a PhD in molecular biology. After working as a campaigner, then researcher and writer, she is now Viva!’s head of research and her work focuses on animals, the environment and health. Justine’s scientific training helps her research and write both in-depth scientific reports, such as White Lies and the Meat Report, as well as easy-to-read factsheets and myth-busting articles for consumer magazines and updates on the latest research. Justine also recently wrote the Vegan for the Planet guide for Viva!’s Vegan Now campaign.
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