This common habit could be silently stealing years from your life—are you at risk?
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Not all snacks are created equal, and some of your favourites might be doing more harm than you think.
While certain foods can give your body a boost, others could be quietly cutting into your lifespan—sometimes by minutes at a time.
New research has shed light on the surprising impact of everyday food choices, ranking them based on their effects on longevity.
Some of the most popular foods and drinks may be taking years off people’s lives without them even realising it.
A study from the University of Michigan ranked 5,800 foods based on how they affected longevity, considering factors like additives, sugar content, fats, and calories.
Each food was analysed per gram and then adjusted to a standard serving size to create a Health Nutritional Index.
According to the findings, soft drinks could cut 12 minutes off a person’s life, while processed meats and fast food ranked even worse.
Hot dogs were found to be one of the biggest offenders, reducing ‘healthy’ life expectancy by 36 minutes due to their high levels of preservatives, sodium, and trans fats.
Bacon was linked to a six-minute reduction, a double cheeseburger to nearly nine minutes, and chicken wings to about three and a half minutes.
Cured meats like prosciutto were also associated with a 24-minute loss, while even a simple slice of cheese was found to have a negative impact.
‘The urgency of dietary changes to improve human health…is clear,’ Dr Olivier Jolliet, the lead researcher, shared.
However, the study also suggested that certain foods could add time back.
Eating a banana was linked to an increase of 13.5 minutes, a serving of baked salmon added 16 minutes, and 30 grams of nuts provided a 26-minute boost.
By replacing just 10 per cent of daily calories from beef and processed meats with fruits, vegetables, legumes, and nuts, people could add an estimated 48 minutes to their lifespan.
‘Our findings demonstrate that small, targeted substitutions offer a feasible and powerful strategy to achieve significant health and environmental benefits without needing dramatic dietary shifts,’ Dr Jolliet said.
The study also examined the environmental impact of food production and manufacturing.
It categorised foods into three colour-coded zones based on their nutritional and environmental effects.
Foods in the green zone—such as nuts, fruits, whole grains, vegetables, and some seafood—were recommended for increased consumption.
Red zone foods, which had a higher health and environmental burden, included processed meats, beef, pork, and lamb.
One limitation of the research was that it did not differentiate between similar food items.
This meant the impact of different soft drink brands or specific fruit types was not assessed separately.
In a previous story, researchers raised concerns about a common ingredient found in popular diet drinks.
While this latest study examines the impact of everyday foods on longevity, experts have also been investigating what’s inside the beverages many people consume daily.
Read more about the potential risks linked to this ingredient here.
With some foods adding minutes to your life and others taking them away, will this research make you rethink your next meal?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
While certain foods can give your body a boost, others could be quietly cutting into your lifespan—sometimes by minutes at a time.
New research has shed light on the surprising impact of everyday food choices, ranking them based on their effects on longevity.
Some of the most popular foods and drinks may be taking years off people’s lives without them even realising it.
A study from the University of Michigan ranked 5,800 foods based on how they affected longevity, considering factors like additives, sugar content, fats, and calories.
Each food was analysed per gram and then adjusted to a standard serving size to create a Health Nutritional Index.
According to the findings, soft drinks could cut 12 minutes off a person’s life, while processed meats and fast food ranked even worse.
Hot dogs were found to be one of the biggest offenders, reducing ‘healthy’ life expectancy by 36 minutes due to their high levels of preservatives, sodium, and trans fats.
Bacon was linked to a six-minute reduction, a double cheeseburger to nearly nine minutes, and chicken wings to about three and a half minutes.
Cured meats like prosciutto were also associated with a 24-minute loss, while even a simple slice of cheese was found to have a negative impact.
‘The urgency of dietary changes to improve human health…is clear,’ Dr Olivier Jolliet, the lead researcher, shared.
However, the study also suggested that certain foods could add time back.
Eating a banana was linked to an increase of 13.5 minutes, a serving of baked salmon added 16 minutes, and 30 grams of nuts provided a 26-minute boost.
By replacing just 10 per cent of daily calories from beef and processed meats with fruits, vegetables, legumes, and nuts, people could add an estimated 48 minutes to their lifespan.
‘Our findings demonstrate that small, targeted substitutions offer a feasible and powerful strategy to achieve significant health and environmental benefits without needing dramatic dietary shifts,’ Dr Jolliet said.
The study also examined the environmental impact of food production and manufacturing.
It categorised foods into three colour-coded zones based on their nutritional and environmental effects.
Foods in the green zone—such as nuts, fruits, whole grains, vegetables, and some seafood—were recommended for increased consumption.
Red zone foods, which had a higher health and environmental burden, included processed meats, beef, pork, and lamb.
One limitation of the research was that it did not differentiate between similar food items.
This meant the impact of different soft drink brands or specific fruit types was not assessed separately.
In a previous story, researchers raised concerns about a common ingredient found in popular diet drinks.
While this latest study examines the impact of everyday foods on longevity, experts have also been investigating what’s inside the beverages many people consume daily.
Read more about the potential risks linked to this ingredient here.
With some foods adding minutes to your life and others taking them away, will this research make you rethink your next meal?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
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