▲ An image that shows slow-aging diet (Source: The Herald Business)

Recently, the ‘Slow- Aging Diets’ have emerged as a new health trend amongst those in their 20s and 30s. As the desire to maintain youth and pursue a healthy lifestyle intensifies, interest in methods to slow the aging process has significantly increased. This shift is also influencing the lifestyle choices of younger generations. Rather than focusing solely on weight loss, more people are adopting slow-aging diets with the goal of long-term health management and disease prevention.

In early last year, Professor Jung Hee- won, a geriatric specialist at Asan Medical Center in Seoul, introduced a meal made of lentils, oats, and brown rice, which came to be known as a ‘slow- aging diet’ on X (formerly Twitter), further fueling the spread of the trend. As of October 2024, over 26,000 people have joined the slow- aging diet community that Professor Jung created in August, actively sharing photos of their meals, ingredients information, and tips on following the diet. What is particularly interesting about this community is the unique set of rules it follows, including a ban on posting “accelerated aging foods” and limiting posts strictly to meal- related content.

The slow- aging diet is a concept distinct from typical diet plans. It focuses on long- term body maintenance by reducing the intake of unhealthy, aging- accelerating foods, and replacing them with healthier alternatives that promote overall well- being. The goal is to delay physical aging by consuming a balanced array of nutrients, including fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and proteins. For example, consuming cabbage before meals can help prevent blood sugar spikes, and replacing a diet primarily composed of simple sugars, refined grains, and meat with a fiber- rich diet that includes whole grains, legumes, and green vegetables can be beneficial for slow aging. Additionally, it is important to increase the proportion of lentils, oats, and brown rice in place of white rice.

Let’s take a closer look through the firsthand experiences of people in their 20s who are actively practicing the slow- aging diet.

Q. Could you introduce yourself please?

Yun: Hello. I’m Yun Chan- mi, a 21- year- old student in the Department of Accounting (class of 2024) at CWNU, with a strong interest in health.

Q. What sparked your interest in the slow- aging diet?

Yun: I first learned about the slow- aging diet through the TV program ‘You Quiz on the Block,’ but my interest grew when I saw it trending on social media like a meme.

Q. Can you describe your daily diet in detail? I’m curious about the types of foods you primarily consume.

Yun: For breakfast, I usually have a lentil and lettuce salad, and when I have more time, I make steamed cabbage as well. At home, I replace white rice with brown rice or rice mixed with chickpeas. When I am dining out, I always try to eat vegetables or protein before consuming any carbohydrates.

Q. What was the most challenging part when you first started the slow- aging diet?

Yun: The hardest part was distancing myself from the sweet, highly flavorful, and greasy foods I normally enjoyed.

Q. Have you noticed any physical or mental changes since starting the slow- aging diet?

Yun: In the past, when I ate heavy, flavorful food late at night, I would often feel bloated and have trouble digesting it. Now, those discomforts are gone. Additionally, by consistently following the slow- aging diet, my post- meal drowsiness has disappeared, and the quality of my sleep has improved. I feel like I’m regaining balance in my life.

Q. Would you recommend the slow- aging diet to others?

Yun: I don’t think it’s easy to follow the slow- aging diet perfectly every day, as everyone’s circumstances and tastes are different. Instead of trying to change everything at once, I recommend starting with small habits like reducing high- fructose syrup intake or eating vegetables before meals.

The slow- aging diet is more than just a passing trend— it is an investment in the healthy future of the younger generation. Small everyday actions can lead to significant long- term benefits and will make the efforts of the 20s and 30s generation shine even brighter. We look forward to seeing their journey towards a healthier life continue to prosper.

By Yoon Hye-won, cub-reporter  flipp1005@naver.com

<저작권자 © The Campus Journal, 무단 전재 및 재배포 금지>