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    Home > Food News > Food Articles > A study published at the European and International Conference on Obesity suggests that over-processed foods may accelerate aging.

    A study published at the European and International Conference on Obesity suggests that over-processed foods may accelerate aging.

    • Last Update: 2020-09-30
    • Source: Internet
    • Author: User
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    People who eat large amounts of industrially processed junk food (ultra-processed foods) are more likely to exhibit chromosomal changes associated with aging, according to a study presented at the European and International Obesity Conference. Researchers from the University of Navarre in Spain report that people who eat three servings or more a day double the length of their telomeres compared to those who rarely eat ultra-processed foods. Telomeres are small pieces of DNA-protein complex present at the end of the line chromosomes of the uerynal cells, which maintain the integrity of the chromosomes and control the cell division cycle.
    known to be a sign of biological aging at the cellular level. Numerous studies have shown that diet is an important factor in accelerating cell aging. Despite the strong correlation, the authors caution that the causal relationship between eating highly processed foods and telomere shortening remains speculative.
    almost everyone has 23 pairs of chromosomes, containing the body's genetic code. Telomeres do not carry genetic information, but are essential to maintaining the stability and integrity of chromosomes and, in turn, to the DNA on which all cells in the body function.
    in most somogenetic cells, the length of telomeres is limited. As we age, the body's telomeres naturally shorten, because each time a cell divides, the telomeres lose some. When telomeres reach critical length, gene expression is affected and changes in expression can lead to cell aging death. As a result, telomere shortening has long been considered a sign of biological age and has been called the "clock of life" by scientists.
    study suggests that telomere shortening may be linked to sugary drinks, processed meats and other foods rich in saturated fat and sugar, but those studies have yet to draw causal conclusions.
    Ultra-processed foods are industrially produced foods consisting of a mixture of oil, fat, sugar, starch and protein that contain almost no all-natural foods and often include a large number of artificial flavorings, colors, emulsions, preservatives and other additives to increase shelf life and profitability. The same characteristics also mean that these foods are nutritionally deprived compared to less processed alternatives, the researchers said.
    studies have shown a strong correlation between hyperprocessed foods and high blood pressure, obesity, depression, type 2 diabetes and certain cancers. In addition to age factors, these diseases are usually associated with oxidative stress and inflammation known to affect telomere length.
    's study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, looked at a potential link between eating highly processed junk food and shorter telomere lengths, led by Professors Maria Beth Rastrolo and Amelia Marti of the Department of Nutrition, Food Science and Physiology at the University of Navarre in Spain.
    the study, the team analyzed a cross-sectional study involving 886 participants (645 men and 241 women) between the ages of 57 and 91 over a 19-year period. Because of the quality of the data reported on participants' self-diets, the team asked that the study be limited to people with college degrees to avoid some of the mixing factors associated with socioeconomic status.
    the telomerase data were measured from saliva samples via real-time qPCR at baseline (2008). Detailed data on their eating habits are then provided every two years. Participants were divided into four groups (low, medium, medium and high) on average, based on their intake of ultra-processed foods.
    study showed that people in the high-intake group were more likely to have a family history of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and blood lipid abnormalities. Their eating habits include fewer foods associated with the Mediterranean diet, such as high-fiber foods, olive oil, fruits, vegetables and nuts. Compared to the minimum intake of ultra-processed foods, the other three groups were 29 percent, 40 percent and 82 percent more likely to have shorter telomeres.
    's team stressed that while the results show a strong correlation between eating super-processed foods and telomere length reduction, they say there are some shortcomings in the study: while several potential confounding factors have been adjusted, there are other confounding factors that cannot be ruled out. In addition, because the design of the study is cross-sectional, causation cannot be inferred, and the sample size is relatively small. The team hopes to study these observations further in a larger longitudinal study.
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