The claimWhat Simon actually said
In a 2019 interview reported by Fox News, Cowell described visiting a well-known practitioner who ran bloodwork and then gave him a list of foods to remove. He said the practitioner was more worried about what he was eating than about his smoking and drinking, and the report says he lost about 20 pounds. He was recounting the advice he received and followed, not presenting research.
- foxnews.com: Simon Cowell in their own words
- Larsson SC and Orsini N, Am J Epidemiol, 2014, meta-analysis linking higher processed meat and total red meat intake with higher all-cause mortality
- Wang X et al., Public Health Nutr, 2016, dose-response meta-analysis of prospective cohorts on red and processed meat consumption and mortality
- Schwingshackl L et al., Am J Clin Nutr, 2017, systematic review and meta-analysis of food groups and all-cause mortality, with whole grains associated with lower risk
- Guo J et al., Eur J Epidemiol, 2017, dose-response meta-analysis finding neutral associations of milk and dairy intake with cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality
Why it mattersWhy this matters for longevity
Elimination diets recommended from general bloodwork are popular, and they often bundle sound advice with unnecessary restrictions that are hard to sustain.
Cutting bread and gluten wholesale can also remove whole grains, a food group consistently associated with better long-term outcomes.
The evidenceWhat the science says
Meta-analyses of prospective cohorts report that higher processed meat intake, and to a lesser degree red meat intake, is associated with higher all-cause mortality. A food-group meta-analysis found lower mortality with higher intakes of whole grains, vegetables, fruits, nuts and fish, and higher mortality with red and processed meat and sugar-sweetened beverages. A dose-response meta-analysis of 29 cohorts found milk and dairy intake had neutral associations with cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality.
These are observational associations, not proof of cause. No trial has tested this specific five-part elimination list, standard bloodwork does not diagnose a need to avoid gluten or dairy, and the evidence does not support removing either for people without celiac disease, a confirmed allergy or an intolerance. A practitioner's concern about diet also does not make smoking or heavy drinking lower priorities; the evidence on smoking is far stronger.
TakeawayThe honest takeaway
The practical lesson
Trimming processed meat and added sugar is well supported, while dairy and whole-grain bread are worth keeping unless a clinician has confirmed a specific reason to avoid them.
Planning for a parent, or for yourself?
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RelatedRelated habits
Each of these is a habit you can build on its own. Explore them through the Topics index.
SupplementsThe supplement angle: Calcium and vitamin D
Support a habit, do not replace one
People who remove dairy entirely may want to check that calcium and vitamin D intake from other foods is adequate. Whether a supplement is appropriate is an individual question for a clinician or dietitian.
Supplements can support good habits. They do not replace sleep, movement, nutrition, or medical care. Talk with your healthcare provider before starting anything new.
This is educational commentary, not medical advice, and does not imply that Simon Cowell endorses, is affiliated with, or uses Winning Longevity or any product. We critique the claim and the evidence, not the person. Any direct quote is a placeholder until sourced. Talk with a qualified healthcare provider before changing your routine. See our health disclaimer.
