The Fountain of Accelerated Old Age?

Disclaimer: This opinion piece is merely conjecture and is not founded in any scientific research.

I am part of the current generation of twenty-somethings. I see our elders who are more active and energetic than we are. Based on my observations of my friends and family, the current generation of twenty-somethings is aging quickly. How many of us have poor eyesight? How many of us have aching joints? How many of us have grey hair already? How many of us are lethargic all the time?

Could it be our food and lifestyle? Consider the "advancements" made in the past fifty years. The current generation of twenty-somethings and early thirty-somethings are the first generation to have grown up with the following from birth:

• Non-stick cookware. First sold in France in the mid-1950s, non-stick cookware came to the U.S in the mid 1960s.


• Microwave ovens. When initial prices fell in the 1970s, microwaves started to become a common household appliance.


• Artificial sweeteners. The earliest artificial sweetener was developed in the mid-1960s.


• Ozone hole. Ozone depletion became an issue in the 1970s.


• Artificial food additives. Most artificial food additives came into prominence in the last half of the 20th century.


• Fast food. The first of the major fast food chains started in the 1940s.


• Processed foods.


• Cell phones. The first commercial cell phone service became available in 1978.

In addition, we have the intangibles of:

• Increased exposure to car exhaust.


• Sleep deprivation.


• Increased pace of life.

This list is not exhaustive and is, again, only conjecture based on observations. The list is unsubstantiated and is intended to spark discussion. Is it possible that the above-mentioned items and issues are causing us to age more quickly?

Share your thoughts in the comments!