Your favourite drink could be stealing minutes off your life

Updated Aug. 14, 2025, 8:39 a.m. | By East Coast Breakfast

Science says these tasty treats aren’t just tasty, they’re time thieves.

Can of soda in glass — tongpatong / iStock

Ever thought your hot dog and fizzy drink combo was harmless? Think again.

Scientists say this classic snack duo might be sneakily shaving minutes off your healthy life.

This isn’t just food paranoia, it’s backed by research!

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A study from the University of Michigan, highlighted by the Daily Mail, analyzed over 5,800 foods to see how they affect your lifespan.

They didn’t just look over it, they looked at everything from additives and sugar to calories and nutrients, then matched it with disease risk data from huge health studies.

The results? Well, let’s just say your snack plate isn’t as innocent as it looks.

Here’s the scary part:

One hot dog could cost you 36 minutes of healthy life.

Those little sausages are packed with preservatives called nitrites and nitrates, which can turn into cancer-linked compounds inside your body. Yikes.

What about the ice cold fizzy drink you wash it down with? Another 12 minutes lost.

Artificial sweeteners like aspartame (which are in many diet and regular fizzy drinks) have come under fire too. So that refreshing sip might be less refreshing than you thought.

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Thankfully it’s not all doom and gloom.

The same study found that swapping just 10% of your processed meat intake for fruit and veggies could add 48 minutes to your life.

Some fish can also give you a 10-minute boost. So, the good news is some snack choices can actually buy you more time!

So next time you reach for that hot dog and a can of cool drink, remember: you’re not just snacking; you’re playing a game of minute roulette with your health.

Swap smart, live longer, and maybe let the veggies crash the party more often.

Your future self will thank you.