Can Water-Based Cooking Methods Keep You Younger? Experts Say

JAKARTA - The trend of water-based cooking methods such as boiling, steaming, simmering, and poaching is now increasingly popular and in demand. This is due to their health benefits and is even said to help maintain youth.

According to experts, this is because water-based cooking helps suppress the formation of harmful compounds called advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which play a role in the aging process and chronic diseases.

The body naturally produces AGEs, but these compounds are also formed when we cook at high temperatures and without water, such as frying, grilling, or baking.

"AGEs can change the structure and function of our cells over time," said functional nutritionist Samantha Peterson, as quoted by Real Simple, Saturday, November 15, 2025.

"When they accumulate faster than the body can remove them, that's where problems arise," she added.

High levels of AGEs can trigger systemic inflammation and oxidative stress. These two factors are linked to various chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and neurodegenerative disorders.

"High levels of AGEs can impact heart health and metabolism by stiffening blood vessels, as well as contributing to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes," continues nutritionist Kaytee Hadley.

Therefore, water-based cooking is recommended to prevent excessive AGE formation. These compounds may still form due to heat exposure, but not as much as when cooking at high temperatures and high heat.

Furthermore, water-based cooking methods can also help retain more vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients in food than frying or baking. This is certainly good for maintaining body health and can even help slow the aging process.