If you’re wondering why brands like ours always emphasize our paleo certification, whole foods and natural ingredients, it’s because most brands’ convenience products are guilty of the exact opposite. Convoluted ingredient lists and preservatives are the enemy of improving health and lifespan.

We all know that a balanced diet is essential for maintaining our health, but did you know that the types of food you eat could affect how fast you age? Research has increasingly shown that consuming ultra-processed foods (UPFs) can accelerate the aging process, impacting both your body and brain over time.

What Are Ultra-Processed Foods?

Ultra-processed foods are industrially made products that contain multiple artificial ingredients, preservatives, and additives. Unlike minimally processed or whole foods, they lack essential nutrients. A simple definition of ultra-processed foods is products with long ingredient lists of food-derived ingredients or synthetic substances, with additives like preservatives and flavorings to make them convenient and hyper-palatable

Here are some examples of ultra-processed foods:

• Chips
• Cookies
• Sugary breakfast cereals
• Soda and energy drinks
• Many energy and protein bars

These products are ready-to-eat (or drink), but they usually contain unhealthy trans fats, sugars, and artificial additives. More than half of the daily calories in the U.S. and U.K. come from these types of foods!

How Ultra-Processed Foods Affect Aging

Research has found several connections between ultra-processed foods and faster aging:

1. Chronic Inflammation: Ultra-processed foods are high in unhealthy fats and refined sugars, which can lead to chronic inflammation in the body. Inflammation plays a major role in aging, contributing to everything from wrinkles to more serious conditions like heart disease and Alzheimer’s.

2. Weight Gain and Metabolic Health Issues: A major impact of ultra-processed foods is their link to weight gain and poor metabolic health. These foods are often high in added sugars and refined carbohydrates, which can cause your blood sugar to spike and drop rapidly. This not only leads to cravings but also encourages overeating, making it harder to maintain a healthy weight.

A study published by Cell Metabolism found that people who ate more ultra-processed foods consumed around 500 extra calories per day compared to those who ate whole, unprocessed foods. This can lead to gradual weight gain over time, which increases the risk of conditions like obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.

3. Gut Health Decline: ultra processed foods are often low in fiber and high in artificial ingredients, which can disrupt the delicate balance of bacteria in your gut. Maintaining a healthy gut microbiome can reduce inflammation and improve overall health as we age. This study highlights the role of gut bacteria in managing immune responses and chronic inflammation, both of which are closely tied to aging.

The Impact of Ultra-Processed Foods on Brain Health

Recent studies have shown that regularly consuming ultra-processed foods may increase the risk of cognitive decline as we age. This Zoe article delves into the link between UPFs and cognitive decline in more detail.

A poor diet of ultra-processed foods can also lead to memory problems, slower thinking, and a higher risk of developing dementia. These foods are often low in the essential nutrients that support brain health, which is why experts recommend focusing on a whole-foods diet instead.

Overall Health Impacts of Ultra-Processed Foods

In addition to their connection to aging, ultra-processed foods are linked to a range of negative health effects. Studies have shown that regular consumption of these foods can increase the risk of heart disease, obesity, and metabolic syndrome. According to Harvard Health, ultra-processed foods contribute to higher calorie intake, leading to weight gain and poor metabolic health, which can have long-term consequences for your overall well-being .

How to Reduce Ultra-Processed Foods in Your Diet

It can be hard to avoid ultra-processed foods entirely, but even small changes can make a big difference. Here are a few tips to help reduce your intake:

• Choose whole foods like fruits, vegetables, and dry roasted nuts.
• Cook at home more often so you can control the ingredients in your meals.
• Replace sugary drinks like soda with water, tea, or smoothies made from whole fruits.
• Check ingredient lists to identify and avoid foods that have long lists of unrecognizable additives.

By making small adjustments, you can cut down on ultra-processed foods and improve your overall health, potentially slowing down the aging process.

We developed our product range to hero macadamias (a whole food), to contain only natural ingredients, and to avoid added sugars or ultra processed ingredients. This should be the standard, and we admire other brands who craft their products with health and longevity in mind.