As the saying goes, “We are what we eat.” That cliche may be more truthful than you think. In fact, studies show that the foods we eat may accelerate the aging process. Undoubtedly, you’ll want to stay away from them. But, how do you know which ingredients are bad?
Sugar
Sugar has been popular for millennia — in tea, coffee, desserts, and culinary cuisines of all sorts. But, when asked if sugar ages you, Dr. Andrew Nish of UnityPoint Health said, “If you put a banana out on the counter and unpeel it, what happens in 24-48 hours? It gets brown.” What’s your point, Dr. Nish?
Simply put, “what’s happening is [that] the sugars in that banana are reacting with proteins, causing cross-linking and the brown color.” In like manner, the proteins in our cells are reacting to the sugars we consume causing “browning from the inside out.”
If this fact bothers you, don’t worry. There are several steps you can take to reduce your sugar consumption. In fact, it’s never too late to drink more water and incorporate exercise into your life. Even so, most sugars are some of the most crucial and fundamental building blocks of our existence.
Trans Fat
Says the National Center for Biotechnology Information, “environmental factors that may impact [Alzheimer’s disease] risk include essential polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are substrates [or, underlying causes] for pathways that are dysregulated [or, impair the process] in [Alzheimer’s] pathogenesis.” While this study is just that — a study, we can’t rule out the severity of the author’s comments.
Further expounding, the article says, “unlike infectious diseases, the problem of the chronic diseases of aging, including brain aging seldom offer us foreign pathogens to target.” Simply put, we can’t always study the aging process because there aren’t just a handful of bacteria that cause it. Instead, “diseases of aging are primarily the consequence of chronic imbalances or dysregulation [or, the impaired process] of normal pathways with important functional roles.”
What, though, does this mean for you? In short, a lot of processed foods contain trans fats. And, those fatty acids have been linked to Alzheimer’s disease and abnormal aging. Thus, cutting out trans fats and adjusting your lifestyle can prolong your youthful appearance.
Alcohol
Says the book, Alcohol and the Brain: Chronic Effects[1], “chronic and excessive alcohol consumption have been considered to have a premature or accelerated aging effect.” Notably, these findings were based on the accumulation of cross-sectional data. Certainly, the excessive consumption of alcohol has artifactual origins.
Alcohol is known to cause dehydration, puffiness, and redness. A hangover can leave you feeling weak, drowsy, and in pain for days! So, imagine what chronic overdrinking will do to you collagen!
Are you concerned about your drinking habits? Don’t be. Realistically speaking, a glass of wine or whiskey sparingly won’t age you quickly. In fact, it may help your health. But, regular excessive drinking can come at a petty price. So, consider limiting your alcohol intake and drinking more water.
Are These Common Foods Aging You?
If you think that these three foods are negatively affecting you, then make the adjustments you need. Why wait any longer? Plus, if sugars, trans fats, or alcohol have harmed your skin, collagen, or even created wrinkles, speak to a physician to learn more about dermal fillers. These fillers can do wonders for you!
[1]Alcohol and the Brain: Chronic Effects (book), by Ralph E. Tarter, Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine — Western Psychiatric Institue and Clinic; and David H. Vam Theil, M.D., University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.
The information provided herein has been reviewed for accuracy, but cannot be guaranteed to be free of infallalacy. The information herein does not qualify as a diagnosis nor does it substitute a consultation with a licensed physician.
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PUBLISHED: 20161228
UPDATED: 20200212
