Your favorite unhealthy snacks could be quietly reducing your life expectancy.
Scientists have issued a stark warning that eating a hot dog or other ultra-processed foods could actually take minutes off your life expectancy.
We all know the feeling of shrugging off unhealthy food choices, especially during Christmas when it’s all about indulging.
The festive season feels like the perfect time to enjoy treats with little to no guilt.
However, health professionals are cautioning that regularly embracing these eating habits year-round can have some pretty serious consequences.
Nutritionists generally agree that ultra-processed foods are something to avoid at all costs if you care about your health.
Researchers at the University of Michigan decided to dig deeper and figure out exactly how much time you lose from your life expectancy when you eat certain ultra-processed foods—like a hot dog.
The results they found are truly eye-opening.
You’ll think about your life expectancy next time you reach for a hot dog.
Getty Stock Images
In their 2021 study, the researchers examined a range of popular ultra-processed foods, such as pizza, mac and cheese, and cured meats.
One of their key findings revealed that eating a single hot dog could cost a person an average of 36 minutes of life.
Meanwhile, consuming cured meats, like sausages or deli meats, could reduce life expectancy by approximately 24 minutes.
At this point, I’m sure I’m not alone in nervously calculating how much time I might have already lost to those quick indulgences.
If you’re a fan of soda, brace yourself—each sugary drink could shave off another 12 minutes of your life.
It’s not looking particularly promising for our favorite comfort foods, is it?
But here’s a bit of good news to balance things out!
Nutritionists warned of the dangers of consuming ultra-processed foods.
Getty Stock Images
Choosing the right foods can actually add valuable time back to your life. Yes, you read that right—certain foods can work in your favor.
For instance, eating specific types of fish has been shown to add as much as 28 minutes to your lifespan.
It’s probably no surprise that fresh fruits, vegetables, and even a classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich can contribute positively to life expectancy.
Dr. Olivier Jolliet, who led the study, explained to the Express: “The urgency of dietary changes to improve human health… is clear.”
He further elaborated: “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.”
One of the biggest concerns highlighted in the study is the sheer volume of ultra-processed foods in the average diet. Shockingly, around 75 percent of food consumed in the United States falls into this category.
Ultra-processed foods have been associated with over 30 different health conditions.
These range from various cancers to a higher likelihood of premature death.
Health professionals are particularly worried about a surge in colon cancer cases among younger individuals.
Many experts suggest this alarming trend is tied to the growing consumption of ultra-processed foods.