A world-renowned heart surgeon has identified four foods that are 'proven to shorten your lifespan'. Dr Jeremy London, a board-certified cardiovascular surgeon with over 25 years of clinical experience, regularly shares health advice on social media and in interviews. He is not alone in warning about the impact of these foods on longevity and wellbeing.
The Four Foods Named by Dr London
In a video posted on social media, Dr London listed the following as being 'proven' to shorten lifespan:
- Alcohol
- Processed meats
- Sugary drinks
- Excess saturated fats
Sugary Drinks: 'Liquid Death'
Dr London described sugary drinks, also known as soft drinks or fizzy drinks, as 'empty calories' that 'never make you feel full'. He has called them 'liquid death' and advised: 'Just don't drink them. Period. Done.' In an interview with Today, he explained: 'I think that soft drinks are just a scourge in our society, and so I was really trying to get some attention.' Dr William Li, a physician and researcher, told the Zoe Science and Nutrition podcast that 'high consumption of soda is associated with everything from metabolic disease to cardiovascular disease to cancer risk.'
Alcohol and Processed Meats: Class One Carcinogens
The World Health Organisation (WHO) classifies both alcohol and processed meats as class one carcinogens, meaning they are carcinogenic to humans. The WHO states: 'This category is used when there is sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in humans.' Cancer Research UK adds: 'We know for definite that processed meat is a cause of cancer. We are as sure of this link as we are for other proven causes of cancer, like tobacco and alcohol.'
Excess Saturated Fats: A Nuanced View
Dr London said his reference to 'excess saturated fats' included 'high fat meat, butter, high fat dairy, things of these nature'. However, some scientists question this. Professor Sarah Berry, a nutrition expert at King's College London, told the Zoe podcast that 'the biggest myth that frustrates me is that dairy is high in saturated fat and therefore increases your risk of heart disease and it doesn't.' Ultra-processed foods, however, are often high in saturated fat, sugar, and salt, and there is growing consensus that they are more damaging than previously thought. Dr Li noted that 'consumption of ultra-processed foods is associated with a higher risk and a higher disease burden... including cancer.'
Moderation Over Abstinence
In his video, Dr London emphasised that complete abstinence is not necessary, stating that eating healthily 80% of the time is 'a win'. He said: 'Look, I understand that life gets in the way and it's difficult to follow a nutritional plan. For me personally, 80% of the time, that's a win. What you want to shoot for is reducing these things, living in moderation. What you want to avoid is having any or all of these things foundational in your nutritional plan.'
What is Processed Meat?
The WHO defines processed meat as 'meat that has been transformed through salting, curing, fermentation, smoking, or other processes to enhance flavour or improve preservation'. Examples include:
- Hot dogs (frankfurters)
- Ham
- Sausages
- Corned beef
- Biltong or beef jerky
- Canned meat
- Meat-based preparations and sauces
Is There a Safe Level of Alcohol?
A recent report by the US Surgeon General warned that alcohol use is directly linked with at least seven types of cancer, and even light or moderate consumption can increase cancer risk. Dr Ernest Hawk of the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center told the New York Times: 'There is no safe level of alcohol when it comes to cancer risk.'
