While hams and bacon are processed, reconstituting that meat into a frankfurter hikes the health risk even further. The study concluded that eating a hot dog could knock 36 minutes off a healthy lifespan, while swapping it for a serving of nuts could add 26 minutes. With research also suggesting that cooking processed meats at high temperatures releases further cancer-causing chemicals, barbecue hot dogs no longer seem anywhere near as appetising.

Liked this? Click the Like button above. And click the Follow button above for more great stories from loveFOOD

Now discover the best and worst vegetables according to nutritionists

Last updated by Lottie Woodrow.

What are ultra-processed foods and why should we avoid them?