What Not to Drink That Everyone Does!!
What Not to Drink That Everyone Does!!
It's been clear for a while that sugar-filled sodas are a major contributor to the obesity epidemic sweeping America. Now it seems like they may be diminishing our lifespans just as they expand our waistlines.
A new study from the University of California San Francisco showed that drinking sugary drinks is associated with cell aging, which in turn reduces longevity. The reason for this result comes down to tiny units of DNA called telomeres. The length and quality of telomeres, which cap the ends of chromosomes in cells, are a determining factor in lifespan-- and it looks like a can of Pepsi with lunch will snip away at telomeres' length at an alarming rate.
Study participants who reported drinking more soda had significantly shortened telomeres in their white blood cells, a result that can not only cut lifespan but also increase the risk of chronic diseases of aging, like heart disease, diabetes, and some types of cancer. And though drinking that much soda each day might seem like a lot, a full 21 % of study participants reported consuming this amount.
It's pretty clear that it's time for Americans to put down the can of Coke. What should they pick up instead?
There are plenty of healthy foods you can choose to increase longevity by lengthening telomeres-- and boost your overall health while you're at it. Plant-based proteins are a great choice, as are eggs, legumes, nuts, seeds, and antioxidant-containing fruits and veggies, as well as folic acid, vitamin E, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12.
Raise your glass of sugar-free green juices for a toast to Health Coaches' role in the wellness revolution! Find plenty of healthy recipes at www.findyourselfhealthy.com/nutrition
It's been clear for a while that sugar-filled sodas are a major contributor to the obesity epidemic sweeping America. Now it seems like they may be diminishing our lifespans just as they expand our waistlines.
A new study from the University of California San Francisco showed that drinking sugary drinks is associated with cell aging, which in turn reduces longevity. The reason for this result comes down to tiny units of DNA called telomeres. The length and quality of telomeres, which cap the ends of chromosomes in cells, are a determining factor in lifespan-- and it looks like a can of Pepsi with lunch will snip away at telomeres' length at an alarming rate.
Study participants who reported drinking more soda had significantly shortened telomeres in their white blood cells, a result that can not only cut lifespan but also increase the risk of chronic diseases of aging, like heart disease, diabetes, and some types of cancer. And though drinking that much soda each day might seem like a lot, a full 21 % of study participants reported consuming this amount.
It's pretty clear that it's time for Americans to put down the can of Coke. What should they pick up instead?
There are plenty of healthy foods you can choose to increase longevity by lengthening telomeres-- and boost your overall health while you're at it. Plant-based proteins are a great choice, as are eggs, legumes, nuts, seeds, and antioxidant-containing fruits and veggies, as well as folic acid, vitamin E, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12.
Raise your glass of sugar-free green juices for a toast to Health Coaches' role in the wellness revolution! Find plenty of healthy recipes at www.findyourselfhealthy.com/nutrition