Ultra-processed Foods Increase Cellular Aging
According to studies, consuming ultra-processed foods can increase cellular aging. The scarce contribution of micronutrients from these products and their high caloric density help to promote oxidation processes. This can also lead to an increased risk of developing diseases in the medium and long term.
A healthy diet must be based on eating fresh food. Vegetables, for example, contain large amounts of phytochemicals that help prevent the appearance of free radicals. These micronutrients are also able to reduce the damage cells inflict over time.
In this article, we will teach you why you should eliminate, or at least reduce, the intake of ultra-processed foods in your diet.
Ultra-processed foods contain trans fatty acids
Your body needs lipids (fats). They participate in a number of physiological reactions. Among other things, they are responsible for hormonal homeostasis and for the transport and storage of fat-soluble vitamins.
However, there are different types of lipids:
- Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats: Specialists consider these to be healthy and recommend consuming them.
- Saturated fat: There is some controversy surrounding saturated fat. More research is needed to assess them more accurately.
- Trans fat, which is present in ultra-processed foods and is harmful. Eating this type of lipid regularly increases inflammatory processes and cellular aging, as claimed in an article published in the journal Advances in Nutrition .
Ultra-processed foods contain acrylamide
In addition to the lipids that affect the inflammatory processes, ultra-processed foods also contain other substances that are dangerous to your health. An example of this is acrylamide, a waste product obtained by exposing starch to high temperatures.
This drug can accelerate the process of cell damage and cellular aging. Regular intake of acrylamide is associated with an increased risk of developing complex diseases, such as cancer, according to this article published in the International Journal of Cancer .
For this reason, we recommend that you reduce your intake of foods that may contain this substance. Both ultra-processed, fried and breaded foods can contain this toxin.
To avoid the formation of acrylamide , we recommend that you prepare starchy foods at low temperatures. To reduce their teratogenic activity, it is best to boil them in water.
They have a high energy density
Ultra-processed foods are known to be full of fat and sugar. This increases energy density while worsening the markers associated with metabolic health.
This excessive intake of sugar and trans fats is also capable of damaging the microbiota. This can cause changes in diversity, causing problems in the digestion and assimilation of nutrients.
For this reason, we recommend that you reduce your intake of this type of food. You should instead focus on eating fresh foods such as fish and vegetables. It is crucial that you guarantee the supply of antioxidants through the diet to help the body fight the aging process.
Reduce your intake of ultra-processed foods
As we mentioned earlier, ultra-processed foods have a high calorie density and a low content of essential micronutrients. They are rich in simple sugars, a substance related to poor metabolic health.
They also contain trans fats which can cause inflammation and promote cellular aging. As if this were not enough, they may also contain waste products such as acrylamide. These drugs promote the appearance of cancer and increase the risk of developing complex diseases.
For all these reasons, researchers recommend that you reduce your intake. However, we know that it is difficult to eliminate them completely from our diet since they are so present in our routines. It is therefore enough to reduce your intake as much as possible while increasing your intake of fresh foods.
At the same time, it is important to ensure a good supplement of vegetables, which are rich in antioxidants. These are responsible for combating the formation of free radicals and cellular aging.
