Regular consumption of ultra-processed foods accelerates biological aging. This conclusion comes from researchers at Monash University in Australia. The study’s results were published in the journal Age and Aging and reported by Medical Xpress.
The Impact of Ultra-Processed Foods
Ultra-processed foods contain large amounts of flavor enhancers, preservatives, and emulsifiers. These products include chips, soft drinks, instant noodles, ice cream, chocolate, cookies, ready-made meals, sausages, burgers, chicken and fish nuggets, sweet or salty packaged snacks, and energy bars.
The study analyzed data from more than 16,000 people in the U.S. aged 20 to 79. To assess biological age, the researchers used PhenoAge epigenetic clocks, which account for DNA methylation and environmental influences, including diet. The results showed that for every 10% increase in ultra-processed foods in the diet, biological aging accelerated by 2.4 months. Participants consuming these foods in large quantities (up to 100% of total energy intake) were, on average, biologically older than their peers by 0.86 years. 
The Negative Effects of Ultra-processed foods
Dr. Barbara Cardoso, who led the research, pointed out that just 200 calories of UPF (about a small portion of nuggets) could accelerate aging by two months.
The researchers emphasized that the negative impact on biological age persisted even when the overall diet quality was high. This could be because ultra-processed foods lack essential nutrients.
The Consequences of Unhealthy Eating
In a related case, a man from China ate only fast food for a week and later discovered that his blood had turned white. Doctors diagnosed him with hyperlipidemic pancreatitis. The main cause of this condition is often the excessive consumption of unhealthy foods, though risk factors also include alcoholism, obesity, and poorly controlled diabetes.
Maria Kaloshina, an endocrinologist at Vidnoye Clinical Hospital of the Moscow Region Health Ministry, explained that increasing vegetable intake and consuming unprocessed foods promote effective weight loss. Vegetables are an essential source of rough dietary fibers, which fill the stomach and provide long-lasting satiety. Additionally, fiber helps regulate blood sugar levels and lowers cholesterol.
Nutrients That Slow Brain Aging
Earlier, researchers identified nutrients that slow brain aging, such as specific combinations of fatty acids, antioxidants, carotenoids, vitamin E, and choline. This combination is most commonly found in the Mediterranean diet.
