Featured Image Credit: Getty stock
Topics: Health, Food and Drink
Joe Yates
A longevity expert has claimed keeping four foods in your home will prevent you from becoming a centenarian.
Dan Buettner, a New York Times bestselling author, has made it his life's work to explore the world and visit 'Blue Zones' from various countries around the world - and so believes he has found the secret to a long life.
Unlike Bryan Johnson, a 'biohacker' who is on a mission to slow down his aging in a bid to 'live forever', 64-year-old Buettner is striving to surpass 100 by taking notes of what centenarians from Blue Zones around the globe are doing.
But first, let's clarify what these zones are.
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Blue Zones are areas in which residents are more likely to reach, and surpass, 100.
For those in the US, the city in Loma Linda, California, has been dubbed the only Blue Zone and it is populated by a number of Seventh-day Adventists - a Protestant Christian denomination commonly known for avoiding alcohol and smoking and observing a meat-free diet.
Although, Buettner's research indicates you can certainly drink a moderate amount of alcohol and still reach the grand old age.
Without further ado, let's get into the four foods you should 'never' keep in your home.
Taking to TikTok, the Minnesota-born explorer said: "Let me tell you the four things you should never bring into your house. I don't care if you go out once and a while and treat yourself, but the four things that should never enter the front door of your house."
"Number one, processed meats. We know that they are associated with cancer," Buettner explained.
It isn't the first time we've reported on an health expert advising us against consuming the food.
"Processed meat and alcohol have both been named as carcinogens by the World Health Organization. The advice is that cutting back on both of these things is better for overall health," Dr Jiri Kubes, a radiation oncologist and cancer expert previously shared.
Processed meats include foods such as ham, sausages, and hot dogs.
Buettner explained these are the 'number one source of refined sugar in the American diet.'
Several studies show a high consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages could be contributing to the obesity epidemic in the US and around the world.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says sugary drinks are the 'leading sources of added sugars in the American diet'.
"The third thing you should never have in your house is salty snacks, we know that they're most associated with obesity," Buettner urged.
Cardiologist Lauren Baldwin has previously shared that potato chips are high in sodium and fat, describing them as 'empty calories' and explaining that 'all you’re getting is calories without the vitamins, minerals and fiber your body is craving'.
"That’s a recipe for overeating, since you’ll still be hungry, even after finishing that bag," the cardiologist added in a blog uploaded to Orlando Health.
"And the final thing is packaged sweets. Also, highly associated with obesity," Buettner concludes.
Of course, this is because they're packed with sugar - that's why we like them so much!
According to the NHS, the UK's publicly-funded healthcare system, sugar can lead to both tooth decay and weight gain - and large amounts of it can also lead to developing type two diabetes.
But that doesn't mean we can't enjoy all of these snacks, Buettner is just urging Americans to enjoy them outside of their home.
He added: "If you want to enjoy these things, go on get them just don't have them tempting you all the time in your house and we'll see you when you're 100."