Our food choices have a direct impact on the aging of our cells. “It is now accepted that there are a certain number of foods that are harmful to the body and that, through this means, will increase senescence, a negative process of aging that results in a degradation of cell functions and a weakening of the body’s various systems. Senescence is contrasted with development, which corresponds to the positive part of aging that extends from conception to the end of adolescence,” Dr. Christophe de Jaeger, a doctor who has specialized in the study of preventing human aging for over 30 years, immediately asks. He explains the main categories of foods that accelerate aging.
And it starts with sugars: “We consume sugars too easily, which we know have an addictive effect and which will saturate our ability to metabolize them. This will result in situations of chronic increase in our blood sugar and will lead to glycation, a mechanism that plays an important role in our senescence. We find it at all levels of the body: the brain, eyes, arteries, nerves, connective tissue and in particular the skin,” explains the doctor. It is possible to indulge yourself from time to time, provided you compensate by doing a big sports session the next day or by imposing an appropriate calorie restriction on yourself. Concretely, we are talking about fast sugars (bread, cakes, pastries, sweets, pastries, sodas, fruits) and slow sugars (pasta, potatoes, bread, etc.). “Fast sugars will immediately raise blood sugar and force the pancreas to secrete insulin urgently, then causing a rebound with secondary hypoglycemia” warns the specialist. This hypoglycemia leads us to go towards other sugars, a little later in the day. As for slow sugars, they will certainly enter the body more slowly but once they are there, they have the same effect as fast sugars.
Next come saturated fats: “Excessive consumption of saturated fats leads to the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases which will promote aging but which do not have a direct impact on the latter as is the case with sugars” continues Dr. Christophe de Jaeger. As we age, our basic metabolism slows down. The body will consume less cholesterol, which will then accumulate. We are also more sedentary, so the liver has a greater tendency to produce bad cholesterol rather than good cholesterol, which will increase cardiovascular risks and consequently aging. “Regular physical activity is the best way to boost your metabolism.” insists our interlocutor. Foods rich in saturated fats are mainly products of animal origin (cheese, butter, crème fraîche, fatty meats), as well as pastries, cakes, biscuits, fried foods, breaded foods, ready meals and certain vegetable oils.
Alcohol: “Alcohol is doubly toxic. On the one hand, because alcohol molecules are toxic to the brain, liver, and nerves. And on the other hand, because alcohol is toxic through its transformation into sugar. It therefore becomes a metabolic toxin.”explains Dr. Christophe de Jaeger. Contrary to what one might think, all alcohols are concerned. “People who are used to drinking two glasses of red wine a day are exposing themselves to a sugar overload which is not at all good, especially since it is daily,” he continues. And coffee, good or bad for aging? “It is difficult to know what the real impact of coffee on aging is because some studies say it is not good, others say the opposite. For the moment, the available data do not allow us to reach a reliable conclusion.” answers the doctor specializing in the aging of the human body.
Thanks to Christophe de Jaeger, French gerontologist and researcher specializing in the aging of the human body, author of Aging Well Without Medication from 40 Years Old (Éditions du cherche midi)
