Spanish researchers have discovered that high consumption of ultra-processed foods is associated with shorter telomeres — the protective caps on chromosomes that indicate biological aging — effectively making cells older than their chronological age.
The Findings
- 4,500 adults studied over 20 years
- Highest UPF consumers had telomeres 4.6 years shorter
- Each additional daily serving of UPF linked to 0.2-year telomere shortening
- Effect reversed partially with diet improvement over 2 years
The good news: participants who reduced UPF intake by 50% over 2 years showed measurable telomere lengthening, suggesting the aging effect is partially reversible.
