Latest news with #FourthofJulyInternationalHotDogEatingContest
New York Post
04-07-2025
- Health
- New York Post
Just one hot dog a day may increase risk of diabetes, heart disease and colorectal cancer: study
A new meta-analysis from the University of Washington suggests that no amount of processed food is safe to consume. Researchers analyzed 77 different studies to gauge the link between certain amounts of these foods and common chronic diseases. 'Habitual consumption of even small amounts of processed meat, sugary drinks and trans fatty acids is linked to increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, ischemic heart disease and colorectal cancer,' lead study author Demewoz Haile, a research scientist at the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington, told Fox News Digital. 'There is no safe level of habitual consumption of these food groups, so they should not be included in our daily diet,' he stated. For processed meats in particular, the researchers concluded that eating as little as 0.6 to 57 grams per day was linked to an 11% greater likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes. Consuming between 0.78 and 55 grams per day was associated with a 7% increase in colorectal cancer risk, the study found. (One hot dog, which is made up of almost entirely processed meat, is approximately 50 grams.) 5 A staffer carries a plate of 76 hot dogs to the official Weigh-in ceremony, ahead of the Coney Island's 2025 Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest in New York City, on July 3, 2025. REUTERS The researchers also analyzed the impact of sugar-sweetened beverages, finding that drinking between 1.5 and 390 grams per day could raise type 2 diabetes risk by 8%. Consuming between 0 and 365 grams of the beverages could increase the risk of ischemic heart disease — the most common type of heart disease and a leading cause of death — by 2%, the study found. Trans fatty acids were also analyzed in the study. When the unsaturated fats made up anywhere from 0.25% to 2.56% of daily energy intake, they were linked to a 3% greater risk of ischemic heart disease. (Some examples of trans fats include crackers, cookies, baked goods, frozen pizza, coffee creamer, refrigerated dough products, and vegetable shortenings and some stick margarines, according to WebMD. Some fast foods also contain it.) 5 Competitive eater Joey Chestnut attends the official weigh-in ceremony for the 2025 Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest at Hudson Yards on July 3, 2025 in New York City. Erik Pendzich/Shutterstock The findings were published in the journal Nature Medicine on June 30. Previous studies have established the link between processed foods and chronic disease, Haile acknowledged. 'However, our study evaluated the shape of the relationship with the most recent studies, using a more advanced analytical method, and objectively assessed the strength of the evidence,' he noted. 'Our analysis showed that the strongest association is observed at lower exposure levels equivalent to a serving or less, which implies that consuming these food items on a regular basis at any amount increases the risk of adverse health outcomes.' While the researchers recognized that diet is a 'personal choice' and that some may be limited in food choices, they recommend limiting or eliminating consumption of processed foods. 5 The official Weigh-In ceremony for Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Championship was held at noon today at the Hudson Yards Plaza in Manhattan. Paul Martinka 'Our findings support what is widely recommended, including by the WHO and CDC: Avoid or reduce to the minimum possible level the consumption of processed meats, sugary drinks and artificial trans fats,' Haile told Fox News Digital. 'Individuals who regularly consume these foods, even in small amounts, should be aware of the increased risk of chronic diseases.' Potential limitations The major limitations of this study are associated with dietary intake assessment, Haile acknowledged. 'Almost all of the included studies used food frequency questionnaires to assess intake, which can introduce measurement errors, primarily due to difficulties experienced by respondents in recalling long-term intake,' he told Fox News Digital. 5 For processed meats in particular, the researchers concluded that consuming as little as 0.6 to 57 grams per day was associated with an 11% higher likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes. WS Studio – Several studies included in the analysis only looked at consumption at the start of the study, Haile noted — 'which might not accurately reflect the future dietary habits of the study participants.' Also, the study only looked at a limited set of health outcomes for each dietary risk factor. 'Consequently, our study may underestimate the total health loss associated with these foods,' Haile said. 'We also observed substantial variation across existing literature, which implies that high-quality research is still needed to strengthen the evidence and reduce uncertainty.' Experts cite caveats Dr. Nick Norwitz, M.D., PhD, a Harvard-educated clinical researcher and metabolic health educator, acknowledged that the study shows a 'relatively consistent association' between higher processed meat intake and worse health outcomes, but pointed out some caveats. 'These are associations — not necessarily causal relationships,' Norwitz, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital. Additionally, as the researchers themselves acknowledged, the quality of the evidence was graded as 'weak,' Norwitz pointed out. 5 Consuming between 0.78 and 55 grams per day was associated with a 7% increase in colorectal cancer risk, the study found. Got Pink? – 'While these large studies have certain strengths, one key weakness is that they lump together many different foods within a single category,' the researcher went on. 'There are various ways to process meats, and not all will have the same biological consequences.' While it's 'certainly feasible' that processed meat can contribute to poor health outcomes, Norwitz said that more research is needed to confirm the meta-analysis' claims. 'At the end of the day, the office donut or bottle of soda is almost certainly doing more metabolic damage than a slice of deli turkey,' he added. A spokesperson from the American Association of Meat Processors (AAMP) sent the below statement to Fox News Digital regarding the study. 'We have not read the [full] report, but the abstract in the paper itself states that the assertions reflect 'weak relationships or inconsistent input evidence' and that more research is necessary. We would like to know how the paper defined 'processed meat,' or if the researchers weighed any supposed risks against the proven benefits of nutrients and protein found in meat.' In the study, the researchers defined processed meat as 'any meat preserved by smoking, curing, salting or the addition of chemical preservatives.' Fox News Digital also reached out to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for comment.
Toronto Sun
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Toronto Sun
Joey Chestnut in talks for return to July 4 hot dog eating contest
The 16-time champion missed last year's contest due to a beef with organizer Major League Eating. Joey Chestnut competes in the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest in 2023. Getty Images The greatest competitive eater of all time has an appetite for more. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account After sitting out last year's Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest, Joey Chestnut reportedly is in talks to return to the U.S. Independence Day tradition in Coney Island, N.Y. According to TMZ Sports, Chestnut and Major League Eating actively are negotiating towards seeing the 16-time champion of the event return after a year on the sidelines due to a contractual beef. The outlet also says that both sides are eager to get a deal in place for the event which is less than a month away. Chestnut wasn't allowed by MLE to compete in last year's edition of the marquee eating contest due to his sponsorship deal with Impossible Foods — which TMZ reports is no longer a factor in discussions. While Chestnut claimed that he was banned from the contest for signing with 'a rival brand,' MLE said that it was Chestnut's own choice to not compete this year in the contest that he had won 16 of the previous 17 years. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Read More 'Joey was not banned. Joey chose not to compete in the contest the moment he chose to make an endorsement deal with one of Nathan's competitors,' an MLE rep told the New York Post at the time. Patrick Bertoletti, who won the 2024 contest, admitted his victory had an asterisk due to the long-reigning champion's absence. Chestnut did take part in a hot dog eating competition last summer, going head-to-head with long-time rival Takeru Kobayashi in a showdown streamed live on Netflix. Chestnut consumed a world-record 83 hot dogs and buns during the 10-minute contest compared to Kobayashi's 66. At the 2024 Nathan's contest, Bertoletti ate 58 weiners for the win. RECOMMENDED VIDEO Check out our sports section for the latest news and analysis. Celebrity NHL Editorial Cartoons Toronto Maple Leafs Music
