Consumption of Chicken Nuggets Linked to Early Death

A new Harvard study suggests that regular consumption of highly processed foods like chicken nuggets could increase the risk of early death. The study, which observed over 114,000 adults for 34 years, found that those who consumed processed meats such as ham and sausages had a 13% higher risk of death. High consumption of sugary drinks increased the risk of early death by 9%. Packaged snacks and desserts also posed a risk, increasing the likelihood of death by 4%. The study observed 74,563 nurses and 39,501 healthcare workers between 1984 and 2018. These results highlight the risks associated with highly processed foods, such as obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. "Our findings suggest that ready-to-eat meat/poultry/seafood-based products as well as sugar-sweetened and artificially sweetened beverages are the main factors contributing to the harmful impact of ultra-processed foods on mortality," said the Harvard Departments of Epidemiology and Nutrition.