Researchers have discovered that regularly consuming hot dogs, along with other ultra-processed foods, may reduce your lifespan.
Many of us fall back on the phrase, ‘Oh well, it’s Christmas,’ as a justification to indulge in our favorite foods during the holiday season.
While relishing tasty treats is a hallmark of the Christmas festivities, health experts warn of the potential dangers if such eating habits become a year-round routine.
Nutritionists strongly advise against indulging in ultra-processed foods.
In an effort to quantify the impact, food specialists at the University of Michigan conducted a study to determine how much a single hot dog could diminish life expectancy.
The findings were quite startling.
The 2021 research encompassed a variety of ultra-processed foods, such as cured meats, pizza, and mac and cheese.
The study revealed that consuming a hot dog might reduce a person’s lifespan by approximately 36 minutes, while eating cured meats could cut it by about 24 minutes.
Like many, you might be calculating how much time you have left based on these findings.
If you’re a soda enthusiast, that habit could cost you 12 minutes.
The outlook appears rather concerning.
However, there’s a silver lining!
Eating the right foods can actually extend your lifespan, which is great to know.
Certain fish types could potentially add up to 28 minutes to your life.
Not surprisingly, fresh produce and even peanut butter and jelly sandwiches have been associated with increased longevity.
In a discussion with the Express, Dr. Olivier Jolliet, the study’s lead researcher, stated, “The urgency of dietary changes to improve human health… is clear.
“Our findings demonstrate that small, targeted substitutions offer a feasible and powerful strategy to achieve significant health and environmental benefits without requiring dramatic dietary shifts.”
Nearly 75 percent of the diet in the US consists of ultra-processed foods, posing a significant health risk.
This category of food has been associated with over 30 health conditions, including various cancers, and may lead to premature death.
Health professionals express particular concern over the rise in colon cancer among young individuals, with some attributing it to their increased consumption of ultra-processed foods.