True or false: ‘The longer the ingredient list of the food you eat…shorter your life span’

Considering our overconsumption of processed foods, it is no surprise that experts urge caution whenever we are at the supermarket buying groceries for the week ahead.

To help make a healthy start, pharmacist Dr James DiNicolantonio suggests going by the thumb rule of purchasing products with shorter ingredient lists. His logic: “The longer the shelf life of the food you eat, the shorter your life span. The longer the ingredient list of the food you eat, the longer your medication list.”

To comprehend this better, we reached out to some experts.

What’s on your plate? (Source: Getty Images/Thinkstock)

Dt. Vanshika Bhardwaj, senior dietician, Marengo Asia Hospitals, Gurugram said food products with a shorter ingredient list are usually preferable because they tend to be less processed and have less artificial additions, preservatives, and chemicals. “Foods with shorter ingredient lists are more likely to be made of whole, organic ingredients, which means they have fewer empty calories and more nutrients,” said Dt Bhardwaj.

Due to their simplicity, the products are easier to understand and you may choose what you’re consuming with more knowledge. “Furthermore, fewer chemicals mean fewer hazards to health from potentially dangerous substances that can aggravate allergies, trigger intolerances, or worsen chronic illnesses,” she added.

Foods that are natural or little processed are also easier for the body to digest, which helps to maintain better digestive health in general. “Less ingredient-heavy manufacturers are typically more open about what goes into their goods, which promotes consumer confidence in the food’s safety and quality,” said Dt Bhardwaj.

Functional nutritionist Mugdha Pradhan, CEO and Founder of iThrive, a Pune-based health and wellness platform, agreed and elaborated with examples. “Incorporating a shorter ingredient list is the best practice one can do to benefit their health. For instance, let’s look at a steak that only has minimal salt and meat, or a fresh fruit that is healthiest in its natural state. However, the moment you add more ingredients, like extra salt, sugar preservatives and seed oils, the food loses its nutritional value even though it uplifts its taste factor. So, I do believe that using few ingredients would keep the food healthy and provide you with the utmost nutrition,” said Mugdha.

To conclude, experts urge choosing goods with shorter ingredient lists as it contributes to a diet that is healthier and more well-rounded.

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