Dr. Jeremy London, a board-certified cardiovascular surgeon with over 25 years of clinical experience, has named four foods linked to a shorter lifespan. Sharing his insights on social media and in interviews, Dr. London highlights the significant impact diet can have on longevity and overall health.
Among these foods, sugary drinks—also known as soft drinks or fizzy drinks—rank high on his list. He refers to them as “empty calories” that fail to satisfy hunger and provocatively dubs them “liquid death.” In an interview with Today, Dr. London explained: “Soft drinks are just a scourge in our society. I called them ‘liquid death’ to get attention. People often don’t realize how many calories they consume through sugar-based soft drinks, and that’s a big problem.”
This view is supported by other experts, including Dr. William Li, who told the Zoe Science and Nutrition podcast: “Extensive clinical evidence links high soda consumption with metabolic diseases, cardiovascular issues, and increased cancer risk.”
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In addition to sugary drinks, alcohol and processed meats were also named by Dr. London. Both have been classified as Class 1 carcinogens by the World Health Organization (WHO), meaning there is conclusive evidence they cause cancer in humans. The WHO states, “This category is used when there is sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in humans.” Cancer Research UK reinforces this, confirming processed meat as a definite cause of cancer, akin to tobacco and alcohol.
Dr. London also warned against excess saturated fats, which he associated with foods like high-fat meat, butter, and full-fat dairy products. However, some experts challenge this broad view. Professor Sarah Berry of King’s College London, an authority on nutrition and cardiometabolic health, told the Zoe Science and Nutrition podcast that the “biggest myth” is that dairy’s saturated fat content inevitably raises heart disease risk, which research does not necessarily support.
Nevertheless, ultra-processed foods remain a major health concern. Typically high in saturated fats, sugar, and salt, these items are increasingly linked to health problems. Dr. Li pointed out another important connection on the Zoe podcast: “Recent studies show that consumption of ultra-processed foods correlates with a higher disease burden and greater cancer risk.”
Importantly, Dr. London stresses that completely avoiding these foods isn’t mandatory. Instead, he encourages moderation, suggesting that adhering to a healthy diet 80% of the time is “a win.” He says, “Life is complicated, and it’s not always easy to follow a strict nutritional plan. Aim to reduce these harmful foods and avoid having them as staples in your diet.”
According to the WHO, processed meat includes meats transformed through salting, curing, smoking, or fermentation to improve flavor or preservation. Common examples are pork and beef products, but processed meats can also include poultry, offal, or by-products like blood.
Finally, concerns about alcohol have intensified with reports from the US Public Health Service indicating links to seven types of cancer. Dr. Ernest Hawk from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center emphasizes, “There is no safe level of alcohol regarding cancer risk.”