You might think cracking open a cold Coke is a harmless pleasure, but scientists at the University of Michigan have fired a chilling wake-up call. According to their recent study, every can of sugar-sweetened soda like Coca‑Cola is estimated to shave 12 minutes off your lifespan. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Keep reading to uncover which seemingly innocent indulgences might be draining your life clock and which wholesome foods could help you reclaim it.
How Your Favorite Foods Are Quietly Stealing Time Off Your Life
The alarming findings extend beyond just a single beverage. Researchers from the University of Michigan meticulously investigated the impact of various processed foods on our longevity, revealing precisely how much time these items might subtract from your life’s clock.
Ultra-processed foods, often laden with artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, and emulsifiers, pose a significant risk if not consumed sparingly. And some of your everyday go-tos could be surprisingly detrimental. For instance, a single hot dog is estimated to shave off a substantial 36 minutes from your life, and pairing it with a Coke adds another 12 minutes to that loss.
The study also highlighted other popular culprits: Breakfast sandwiches and eggs were linked to a 13-minute reduction in lifespan, while cheeseburgers were found to diminish it by nine minutes. Even a seemingly simple indulgence like bacon contributes to a six-minute loss.
Not All Bites Are Bad—Some Add Minutes to Your Life
But it’s not all grim news for your diet. The research also unveiled a brighter side, revealing that incorporating specific foods can add minutes to your life.
For instance, scientists discovered that consuming certain types of fish could extend your life by as much as 28 minutes. Dr. Olivier Jolliet, the study’s lead, emphasized the significance of these findings, stating: “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.”
Beyond fish, other studies have pointed to the potential benefits of certain cheeses. One such study previously suggested that enjoying cheeses like cheddar and brie could help boost life expectancy and even aid in preventing liver cancer.
What Ultra-Processed Foods Are Doing to Your Health—And How to Cut Back
Many medical professionals advocate for significantly reducing or eliminating ultra-processed foods (UPFs) from our diets to achieve optimal health. The urgency of this advice is underscored by recent research. Earlier this year, the British Medical Journal (BMJ) published a comprehensive review highlighting the profound risks associated with high UPF consumption. Their findings revealed a staggering 50% increased risk of cardiovascular disease-related death, a 48-53% higher likelihood of developing mental health issues like anxiety, and a 12% greater risk of type 2 diabetes.
Furthermore, increased UPF intake was correlated with a 21% higher risk of mortality from any cause, a significant link to obesity, a 40-66% greater risk of heart disease, and increased prevalence of sleep problems and a 22% higher chance of depression. The list of related health concerns also extends to asthma, high cholesterol, and various gastrointestinal issues.
While consuming UPFs in strict moderation may be acceptable, the overwhelming consensus from the medical community leans towards prioritizing whole, unprocessed alternatives. Doctors consistently recommend a diet rich in fruits, healthy carbohydrates, and vegetables as the cornerstone of long-term well-being.
Sources: Metro, The British Medical Journal