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Topics: Food and Drink, Health, Life, Science
Emily Brown
A nutritionist has spoken out about exactly how many minutes just one cheeseburger could take off your life - so if you were thinking about kicking off the new year with some fast food, you might want to think twice.
The harsh revelation was made by nutritionist Luis Zamora on the TV show 'Y ahora Sonsoles', during which Zamora explained how ultra-processed foods can have an impact on life expectancy.
Of course, most of us already know that ultra-processed foods, like frozen pizzas, instant noodles and microwave meals, aren't exactly the healthiest choices, but seeing how they might actually impact your lifespan might make for a stark realization.
According to a review published in the British Medical Journal in 2024, ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are linked to a multitude of health conditions, including heart disease, mental health disorders and type 2 diabetes, among others.
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Yet, in spite of this, 2024 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed that 53 percent of the calories adults consumed daily, on average, came from ultra-processed foods between 2021 and 2023.
So, just how much of an impact could something as simple as a cheeseburger be having?
Well, in referencing a study conducted by researchers at the University of Michigan, Zamora said: "Each hot dog reduces life expectancy by an average of 36 minutes. The study tells us that soft drinks, even if they are sugar-free, take away 12 minutes of life.
"Each cheeseburger would take away 9 minutes. Bacon, all processed red meats, each serving would take away up to six minutes of life."
While nine minutes might not seem like much in an entire lifetime, it's worth noting that all this time could add up if you're eating UPFs regularly.
The estimations come from researchers Katerina Stylianou and Olivier Jolliet, who analyzed a variety of foods based on their composition to determine the benefits or negative impacts of eating them.
Following their analysis, the researchers then developed a 'Health Nutritional Index', which breaks down exactly how many minutes of life might be lost or gained per serving of each food.
And while UPFs might have a negative impact on your health, there are foods that can help increase your lifespan, too.
The researchers found that some of the best foods to help increase your life span include nuts and seeds, with a serving size of 30 grams of nuts and seeds resulting in a gain of 25 minutes of healthy life.
Heading into the new year, the key thing to remember is that moderation is key. In fact, the study found that if people switched out 10 percent of daily calories from beef and processed meat to fruits and vegetables, you could add an estimated 48 minutes to your lifespan.