Longevity scientist claims this one breakfast helped him reverse his biological age by 15 years
Breakfast is thought to be the most important meal of the day and people are often encouraged to eat it. From cereal and waffles to eggs and bacon, there's so much choice when it comes to your first meal.
For me, I'm a sucker for an almond croissant or some fluffy pancakes. However, there's a certain type of breakfast that's been proven to slow down the ageing process, so much so that one scientist says that his biological age has been reversed by 15 years.
That scientist is Dr. Eric Verdin, the CEO and president of the Buck Institute for Research on Aging. Now 68 years old, Verdin has spent the last decade 'optimizing' his health and has made changes to both his diet and lifestyle.
He follows the Mediterranean diet, something that has long been raved about by experts for its health benefits. In fact, it's been suggested that those who follow such a diet could add an extra decade to their lives.
The diet's made up of plant-based foods, healthy fats, and moderate amounts of lean proteins, fish, and dairy.
"When you look at populations that are on this type of diet, they really are the healthy ones," Verdin said of it.
Going on to speak about breakfast specifically, Verdin warned, as per Business Insider: "The worst breakfast you can possibly imagine is your sort of cereal bowl with a glass of orange juice because this is essentially a bowl of sugar, sugar, sugar."
So what does he eat to make his biological age 15 years younger than his actual age? Verdin typically eats eggs, avocado, and salmon with wholemeal bread for breakfast. He'll also often have olive oil on his bread instead of butter.
READ MORE:
DOCTOR REVEALS SIMPLE LIFESTYLE CHANGE THAT CAN 'REVERSE AGING'
Eggs and salmon are great for healthy sources of fat and protein (which will help you feel fuller for long), while eggs and wholemeal bread are a source of fiber that feeds the 'good' bacteria in your gut.
Going on to reveal why a savory breakfast is a better alternative to a sweet one, Verdin said: "Breakfast should be savory. So no pastries, no orange juice, no fruity yogurt. What it does, it sets you up for the whole day of bouncing up and down with your blood sugar."
If your blood sugar levels are going up and down throughout the day, you're more likely to experience energy crashes and cravings.
Maybe that's why I'm always falling asleep at my desk at 3pm...

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- Yahoo
White House AI czar David Sacks says 'AI psychosis' is similar to the 'moral panic' of social media's early days
The White House AI advisor discussed "AI psychosis" on a recent podcast. David Sacks said he doubted the validity of the concept. He compared it to the "moral panic" that surrounded earlier tech leaps, like social media. AI can create a diet plan, organize a calendar, and provide answers to an endless variety of burning questions. Can it also cause a psychiatric breakdown? David Sacks, the White House official spearheading America's AI policies, doesn't think so. President Donald Trump's AI and crypto czar discussed "AI psychosis" during an episode of the "All-In Podcast" published Friday. While most people engage with chatbots without a problem, a small number of users say the bots have encouraged delusions and other concerning behavior. For some, ChatGPT serves as an alternative to professional therapists. A psychiatrist earlier told Business Insider that some of his patients exhibiting what's been described as "AI psychosis," a nonclinical term, used the technology before experiencing mental health issues, "but they turned to it in the wrong place at the wrong time, and it supercharged some of their vulnerabilities." During the podcast, Sacks doubted the whole concept of "AI psychosis." "I mean, what are we talking about here? People doing too much research?" he asked. "This feels like the moral panic that was created over social media, but updated for AI." Sacks then referred to a recent article featuring a psychiatrist, who said they didn't believe using a chatbot inherently induced "AI psychosis" if there aren't other risk factors — including social and genetic — involved. "In other words, this is just a manifestation or outlet for pre-existing problems," Sacks said. "I think it's fair to say we're in the midst of a mental health crisis in this country." Sacks attributed the crisis instead to the COVID-19 pandemic and related lockdowns. "That's what seems to have triggered a lot of these mental health declines," he said. After several reports of users suffering mental breaks while using ChatGPT, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman addressed the issue on X after the company rolled out the highly anticipated GPT-5. "People have used technology, including AI, in self-destructive ways; if a user is in a mentally fragile state and prone to delusion, we do not want the AI to reinforce that," Altman wrote. "Most users can keep a clear line between reality and fiction or role-play, but a small percentage cannot." Earlier this month, OpenAI introduced safeguards in ChatGPT, including a prompt encouraging users to take breaks after long conversations with the chatbot. The update will also change how the chatbot responds to users asking about personal challenges. Read the original article on Business Insider Solve the daily Crossword

Business Insider
20 hours ago
- Business Insider
White House AI czar David Sacks says 'AI psychosis' is similar to the 'moral panic' of social media's early days
AI can create a diet plan, organize a calendar, and provide answers to an endless variety of burning questions. Can it also cause a psychiatric breakdown? David Sacks, the White House official spearheading America's AI policies, doesn't think so. President Donald Trump's AI and crypto czar discussed " AI psychosis" during an episode of the "All-In Podcast" published Friday. While most people engage with chatbots without a problem, a small number of users say the bots have encouraged delusions and other concerning behavior. For some, ChatGPT serves as an alternative to professional therapists. A psychiatrist earlier told Business Insider that some of his patients exhibiting what's been described as "AI psychosis," a nonclinical term, used the technology before experiencing mental health issues, "but they turned to it in the wrong place at the wrong time, and it supercharged some of their vulnerabilities." During the podcast, Sacks doubted the whole concept of "AI psychosis." "I mean, what are we talking about here? People doing too much research?" he asked. "This feels like the moral panic that was created over social media, but updated for AI." Sacks then referred to a recent article featuring a psychiatrist, who said they didn't believe using a chatbot inherently induced "AI psychosis" if there aren't other risk factors — including social and genetic — involved. "In other words, this is just a manifestation or outlet for pre-existing problems," Sacks said. "I think it's fair to say we're in the midst of a mental health crisis in this country." Sacks attributed the crisis instead to the COVID-19 pandemic and related lockdowns. "That's what seems to have triggered a lot of these mental health declines," he said. After several reports of users suffering mental breaks while using ChatGPT, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman addressed the issue on X after the company rolled out the highly anticipated GPT-5. "People have used technology, including AI, in self-destructive ways; if a user is in a mentally fragile state and prone to delusion, we do not want the AI to reinforce that," Altman wrote. "Most users can keep a clear line between reality and fiction or role-play, but a small percentage cannot." Earlier this month, OpenAI introduced safeguards in ChatGPT, including a prompt encouraging users to take breaks after long conversations with the chatbot. The update will also change how the chatbot responds to users asking about personal challenges.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
This Mediterranean Diet Snack May Help Reduce Dementia Risk, According to Dietitians
Reviewed by Dietitian Karen Ansel, M.S., RDN Key Points The Mediterranean diet is filled with foods that support brain health. Nutrient-dense snacks are an easy way to work more of these foods into your day. Lemon-Raspberry Frozen Yogurt Bites are packed with nutrients that may protect against dementia. From what you eat to how you sleep and move, your everyday decisions can either increase or decrease your risk of dementia. When it comes to reducing that risk, the Mediterranean diet can have a powerful impact. And we're not just talking about meals. Snacks can help, too. Like our Lemon-Raspberry Frozen Yogurt Bites. These little nuggets lean heavily on foods that are foundational to the Mediterranean diet, like fruit and yogurt. Plus, they're loaded with nutrients that may reduce your risk of dementia. They're also fun to eat and packed with flavor! Read on to learn why dietitians say these creamy snacks are a top choice for keeping your brain sharp, plus other tips to help you choose a brain-healthy snack. Why Lemon-Raspberry Frozen Yogurt Bites May Help Reduce Dementia Risk Our Lemon-Raspberry Frozen Yogurt Bites combine raspberries, yogurt, ginger and a touch of maple syrup for sweetness. Plus, they're quick to prepare for a refreshing snack. Here's how they may protect against dementia. May Reduce Inflammation 'Raspberries are full of vitamin C, an antioxidant that helps reduce inflammation and also [protects against] cell damage and oxidative stress, linked to dementia and aging of the brain,' says Maggie Moon, M.S., RD. , , In fact, a generous 1-cup serving of these zesty little bites gives you a whopping 61% of the vitamin C you need per day. That's not all, says Moon. This recipe's raspberries are also rich in antioxidants called flavonoids that may reduce inflammation, protect cognition and improve memory. For instance, one prospective study found that people who reported eating a flavonoid-rich diet had a reduced risk of cognitive decline. And other studies have reported similar results. 'A large 2024 cohort study of over 120,000 people suggests an additional six servings of flavonoid-rich foods and beverages per day may help to reduce risk of dementia,' says Sheri Gaw, RDN, CDCES. Excellent Source of B12 This snack isn't just beneficial for combating inflammation. Its Greek yogurt provides more than 40% of your daily dose of vitamin B12. 'This nutrient plays a key role in brain health and nerve function,' says Kayla Farrell, RDN. Yet, unless you eat animal foods, like meat, fish, poultry, eggs or dairy, you may not be getting enough B12. While more research is needed, one study points to low vitamin B12 levels as an overlooked cause of dementia and mild cognitive decline. Can Help Support Gut Health 'Greek yogurt is also full of probiotics that support gut health, which may influence brain function through the gut-brain connection,' says Farrell. One study found an association between higher levels of unfavorable gut microbes and dementia. At the same time, another suggested that probiotics may improve cognition. As encouraging as this research is, results have been mixed, so more study is needed. Contain Polyphenols The ginger in these tasty bites may offer another layer of brain protection. 'Herbs and spices are some of the most concentrated sources of brain-protective polyphenols, and preliminary research suggests ginger may provide a modest edge when it comes to memory and reaction time,' says Moon. According to one review study, ginger may even have the potential to protect against Alzheimer's disease. 'Aside from the newer research, ginger has been used in the kitchen and in traditional medicine for centuries,' adds Moon. Low in Added Sugars Research has found that eating patterns high in added sugars may increase the risk of dementia. Experts suspect that excess added sugar may promote insulin resistance, which can affect cognitive function over time. One serving of these yogurt bites contains just 3 grams of added sugars from maple syrup. So, they're a healthy way to satisfy your sweet tooth without overloading your brain with added sugars. How to Choose a Brain-Healthy Snack As nutritious as these yogurt bites are, they aren't the only snack that can do your brain good. When you're looking for a snack to support brain health, these expert tips can help. Add More Plants: 'When in doubt, eat more plants,' says Gaw. Many of the anti-inflammatory compounds associated with reductions in dementia risk, like flavonoids, polyphenols, vitamins and minerals, are found in abundance in plants. 'While vitamins and minerals can be replicated in pills or supplements, whole plant foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds and plant-based oils, offer a much more comprehensive nutritional package,' adds Chris Henigan, M.S., RD, LDN. Consider the MIND diet. 'The MIND diet, a plant-forward diet that combines the Mediterranean and DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diets and emphasizes berries, leafy greens, beans and whole grains, has been shown to support cognitive function,' says Gaw. It also encourages eating less red meat, fried foods, high-sugar desserts and butter. Prioritize Nutrient-Dense Foods: Nutrient-dense foods can be found in all food groups, which further underscores the importance of eating a diverse diet. For the best benefits, Moon recommends focusing on your overall eating pattern, rather than hyperfocusing on a few select foods. Think Healthy Fats: 'Fatty fish, walnuts, chia seeds and flaxseed meal are fantastic sources of omega-3 fats that may help to reduce dementia risk,' says Gaw. Snack on some tuna with whole-grain crackers or smoked salmon on a whole-wheat mini bagel. Limit Added Sugars: You don't have to load up on sugary snacks to get the sweetness you crave. Instead, look to fruit for natural sweetness. Unlike foods with added sugar, its fiber slows down the absorption of its sugars for a steadier blood sugar response. Our Expert Take Adding the right foods to your plate can support optimal brain function. And the Mediterranean diet is a great place to start. It's loaded with foods linked to better brain health. While meals can help you get these nutrients, don't overlook snacks like our Lemon-Raspberry Frozen Yogurt Bites. They're filled with vitamin B12 and anti-inflammatory nutrients like vitamin C, flavonoids and polyphenols, which have been linked to better brain health. Plus, they're refreshing, delicious and easy to make. As a bonus, they'll stay fresh in your freezer for up to a month for easy snacking at your fingertips. Now, that's what we call a no-brainer! Read the original article on EATINGWELL