9 Apparently Healthy Foods and Drinks Scientifically Linked to Shorter Life Expectancy

While no one certainly has complete control over their lifespan, it’s encouraging to know that we actually have a lot of control. It is estimated that 80% Chronic diseases and premature deaths are prevented through the implementation of healthy diets and lifestyles.

There are literally hundreds of scientific studies linking certain foods to longevity. Chances are you’re already familiar with most of these studies. what it means to eat healthy: Stock up on plant-based foods and limit ultra-processed products as much as possible. But according to doctors specializing in preventive medicine, there are other foods and drinks that people consume regularly thinking that they are good for their health, but that is not the case. Curious to know what the biggest surprises are? Keep reading to find out.

While it’s not exactly news that margaritas and Jagermeister shots won’t make you live longer, most people don’t drink red wine, believing it’s the only alcoholic beverage that’s good for your heart. Sorry, but that’s not the case.

“New reports “Our research shows that even moderate drinking, including red wine, can contribute to cancer, high blood pressure and atrial fibrillation. It also shows a significant increase in premature aging and death when you drink 25 grams of alcohol per day,” said functional medicine physician Amy Myers, MD. “That’s the equivalent of less than two cocktails, two 12-ounce beers or two 5-ounce glasses of wine per day. We now know that a glass of red wine doesn’t have the benefits we once thought,” she added.

Dr. Sara Szal Gottfried, clinical assistant professor in the department of integrative medicine and nutritional sciences at Thomas Jefferson University, told HuffPost that alcohol consumption, regardless of the amount, is bad for longevity. She explained that alcohol is a neurotoxin and also increases cortisol levelswhich disrupts sleep and raises blood sugar levels — two ways it can harm your health. “There’s no benefit to alcohol. What you want it to do — relax you, help you feel regulated and energized — it actually robs you,” she said.

Fruit juice is one of those drinks that has a very healthy reputation, so beneficial that parents give it to their children throughout the day. But unless your juice is truly fresh-squeezed, chances are it’s not all that healthy.

“Fruit juices often contain high levels of added sugar and lack the fiber found in fruit,” said Dr. Nilda Abellerathe medical director of the integrative medicine company Infuze MD. Many fruit juices contain up to 30 grams of sugarwhich is about the same as that found in soda. It is recommended to keep sugar consumption below 36 grams per day for women and 25 grams per day for men, as it is very harmful to health.

Is switching to diet soda really better for longevity than switching to regular soda? Scientific research says no.

Abellera explained that this was due to the artificial sweeteners in soda.Artificial sweeteners such as aspartame, sucralose and saccharin have raised concerns due to their potential impact on metabolism, health risks, disruption of insulin response, alteration of gut microbiota and potential for overconsumption “, she said. She explained that diet soda is calorie-free, which sounds good, but it actually disrupts the body’s energy-regulating mechanisms, potentially leading to increased cravings and overeating.

Family medicine doctor Dr Alexander Golberg told HuffPost that artificial sweeteners in diet soda have a negative impact on the good bacteria present in the intestine. According to him, this impacts health in a number of ways, including harming immune health and overall well-being. Gottfried summed up the impact of artificial sweeteners on health and longevity this way: “Artificial sweeteners are a good idea gone bad.”

If you think snacking on a charcuterie board is healthier than eating a larger, more complete dinner, think again. The reason why cured meats are not good for longevity is because of cured meats. “There is strong evidence linking processed meat to various forms of cancer, as well as heart disease and diabetes,” said Dr. Norma Barbosa Riverainternal medicine physician.

Abellera added, “Processed meats like bacon, sausage, and cold cuts are associated with a variety of health risks, including a higher incidence of cardiovascular disease and certain cancers. The main culprits are additives used in processing, like nitrates and nitrites, which are associated with an increased risk of cancer, particularly colorectal cancer.” She added that processed meats tend to be high in sodium and saturated fat, which can raise blood pressure and cholesterol levels, which increase the risk of heart disease. Cold cuts may look cuter than deli meats, but they’re not healthier.

Granola bars are a snack that seems like a longevity booster. But Golberg told HuffPost they’re very misleading. “Often marketed as a healthy snack, many granola bars contain high amounts of sugar and unhealthy fats,” he said. For example, some granola bars are made with coconut oil, which is high in saturated fata type of fat linked to increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

To make sure the granola bar you’re considering is actually healthycheck to make sure it’s low in sugar, saturated fat and sodium and has at least three grams of fiber per serving.

Yogurts in key lime pie, New York cheesecake, or peach and cream flavors certainly seem tastier than the plain versions. That may be the case, but unfortunately they’re not as healthy.

“Flavored yogurts may seem nutritious, but they often contain significant amounts of added sugars,” Abellera said. Golberg echoed this view, saying that many flavored yogurts are loaded with added sugar. If you want to sweeten your yogurt, add your own fruit instead; it won’t have the added sugar of artificial flavors and will also boost the fiber, making your snack even healthier.

Making a smoothie at home where you control all the ingredients is one thing, but both Golberg and Abellera said smoothies you don’t make yourself often contain added sugar or artificial sweeteners, turning this notorious health food into a less healthy one. Most smoothies from Jamba Juice, for example, having between 43 and 100 grams of sugar per smoothie.

Acai is often touted as a superfood, but Gottfried told HuffPost that acai bowls are another food that’s often loaded with sugar. “When I read an article about superfoods, it makes me a little crazy. Is eating an acai bowl the size of a football really a good idea?” She explained that for most people, eating an entire acai bowl will significantly spike blood sugar levels, which can increase the risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and obesity.

Golberg shared with HuffPost that meals prepared to be reheated in the microwave or oven are often made with harmful additives. Two in particular are butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) And butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), which has been shown to cause cancer in animals and alter DNA.

While the foods and drinks on this list may not be as healthy as you thought, it really boils down to this: If you want to center your diet around longevity-promoting foods, minimize foods high in sugar , made with alternative sweeteners, processed meats and additives – and save your alcohol intake for special occasions, if you choose to drink it. There is always plenty of longevity-promoting foods and drinks left on the table to enjoy in abundance. Hopefully, you will enjoy it for many, many years.