The doctor warned about the risks of "anti-age" products and sugary cocktails

Spirulina, matcha, kimchi, and coconut oil can support metabolism and indirectly affect the aging process, but they are not "elixirs of youth." Svetlana Burnatskaya, a general practitioner and occupational therapist at JSC "Medicine" (Academician Roitberg Clinic), told Izvestia about this on May 19.

According to the expert, these products work only as part of the overall diet and lifestyle. Thus, spirulina contains protein, vitamins and antioxidants, matcha is rich in catechins and L-theanine, and kimchi, thanks to fermentation, supports the intestinal microbiome and reduces systemic inflammation. These effects may indirectly slow down age-related changes, but they do not stop them.

"We are not talking about "anti-age pills", but about products that can support the body within the framework of a balanced diet. Some popular products, on the contrary, can accelerate negative processes in blood vessels. First of all, this applies to milkshakes, especially with a lot of sugar, flavors and vegetable fats," Burnatskaya emphasized.

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According to her, the main risk factor is not so much the presence of additives as high calorie content and excess sugar, which can contribute to the deterioration of lipid metabolism and an increase in blood glucose levels.

The specialist also warned that "superfoods" are not suitable for everyone. For example, spirulina may be contraindicated in autoimmune diseases and allergies, matcha may be contraindicated in caffeine sensitivity and certain gastrointestinal diseases, and kimchi may be contraindicated in gastritis and hypertension due to its high acidity and salt content.

The doctor stressed that the greatest impact on slowing down aging is not individual foods, but sustainable eating habits: a Mediterranean diet, sugar restriction, salt control and maintaining a normal weight.

"If a person really wants to reduce the rate of age—related changes, the key role is played not by one product, but by the nutrition system as a whole," the specialist concluded.

On May 13, Medical Xpress magazine reported on the association of lack and excess of sleep with accelerated aging. According to the study, getting enough hours of quality sleep affects not only the aging of the brain, but also the heart, lungs, and immune system. The scientists emphasized that sleep deficiency can directly affect the severity of the disease, and excess affects the mental state through mechanisms related to the biological clock of the brain and adipose tissue.