There are a multitude of factors that contribute to longevity. Seemingly innocent habits or indulgences can have a significantly negative effect on your lifespan, however. With this in mind, what are three drinks or food items you need to cut back on in order to help reduce your risk of age-related diseases?
Alcohol
Alcohol is a toxin negatively affecting a person’s longevity and health span.
It’s been reported that alcohol increases a person’s risk of cancer with research pertaining to how it increases the risk of both colorectal and breast cancers, according to the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR).
Over time, excessive alcohol use can lead to the development of chronic diseases and other serious problems including high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, liver disease, and digestive problems.
One study published in the journal of Age and Ageing explored alcohol’s effect on longevity.
“Whether light-to-moderate alcohol intake is related to reduced mortality remains a subject of intense research and controversy,” wrote the study researchers.
They acknowledged that there “are very few studies available on alcohol and reaching longevity”.
Processed meat
Processed meats like sausages, salami, hot dogs and corned beef are categorized by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as Group 1 carcinogens.
There is sufficient evidence that chronic consumption of these foods increases the risk of colorectal cancer.
According to the AICR, consuming 50 grams of processed meat is linked to a 16 percent increased risk of colon cancer.
Sugar-sweetened beverages
One Harvard Medical School observational study, published in Circulation in 2019, identified the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages as a cause of early death.
The study involved 110,000 men and women who answered questionnaires pertaining to their sweetened beverage habit.
Compared with people who rarely drank sugar-sweetened beverages, those who drank six per week had a six percent increased risk for early death.
Those who drank two or more sugary drinks per day, on the other hand, had a 21 percent increased risk for early death.