9 Healthy-Seeming Foods And Drinks Scientifically Linked To A Shorter Lifespan

You may already know doughnuts aren’t great for longevity, but doctors say these healthy-sounding ingredients should only be consumed in moderation, too.

While certainly no one has complete control over how long they’ll live, it’s encouraging to know that there actually is a lot in our control. An estimated 80% of chronic disease and premature death is prevented by having healthy diet and lifestyle habits in place.

There are literally hundreds of scientific studies linking certain foods to longevity. Chances are, you already know the general gist of what it means to eat healthy: Fill up on plant-based foods and keep ultra-processed products to a minimum. But according to doctors specializing in preventative medicine, there are other foods and drinks people enjoy regularly believing they support health, but they actually don’t. Curious as to what the biggest surprises are? Keep reading to find out.

1. Alcohol — Including Red Wine

While it isn’t exactly breaking news that margaritas and shots of Jagermeister won’t add years to your life, most people give red wine a free pass, believing it’s the one alcoholic drink that’s good for your heart. Sorry, but it’s not.

“New reports conclude that even moderate drinking, including red wine, may contribute to the onset of cancers, high blood pressure and atrial fibrillation — and also indicate a significant increase in premature aging and death when drinking 25 grams of alcohol daily,” said Dr. Amy Myers, a functional medicine doctor. “This equates to less than two cocktails, two 12-ounce beers or two 5-ounce glasses of wine daily. We now know a glass of red wine doesn’t have the benefits it was once thought to have,” she added.