The increasing life expectancy has heightened interest in understanding biological aging, which reflects an individual’s functional decline rather than just chronological age. Key factors such as inflammation, metabolism, and homeostasis play a role in biological aging, with lifestyle factors, particularly diet, having a significant impact.
Diets rich in whole foods like the Mediterranean and DASH diets are linked to healthier aging, while proinflammatory diets, including those high in ultra-processed foods (UPFs) may accelerate biological aging. UPFs, typically high in sugars, fats, and low in essential nutrients, have been associated with adverse health outcomes and may contribute to markers of biological aging like telomere shortening and cognitive decline.
A study carried out by Esposito et al., which was recently published in “The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition” explored the association between UPF consumption and biological aging in a general adult population from Central-Southern Italy (Moli-sani Study) and assessed the role of diet quality in this relationship. Intake of UPF was assessed through a food frequency questionnaire and biological age (BA) was calculated using biomarkers. It was observed that higher UPF consumption was linked to accelerated aging (β = 0.34 years; 95% CI: 0.08, 0.61), with a non-linear relationship (p <0.001) (See Graphic).
(Source: Esposito S, Gialluisi A, Di Castelnuovo A, Costanzo S, Pepe A, Ruggiero E, De Curtis A, Persichillo M, Cerletti C, Donati MB, de Gaetano G, Iacoviello L, Bonaccio M; Moli-sani Study Investigators; Steering Committee; Scientific Secretariat; Safety and Ethical Committee; External Event Adjudicating Committee; Baseline and Follow-up Data Management; Data Analysis; Biobank, Molecular and Genetic Laboratory; Recruitment Staff; Communication and Press Office. Ultra-processed food consumption is associated with the acceleration of biological aging in the Moli-sani Study. Am J Clin Nutr. 2024;120(6):1432-40.)