A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association reveals that many Americans die annually from consuming too much bacon and soda and too little nuts and seeds. The study cited a 2012 government report that revealed about 700,000 people died that year from complications resulting from unhealthy eating habits. A combined list of 10 unhealthy ingredients was found to contribute to nearly 45% of these deaths.

Unhealthy food habits that contribute to early deaths

The study found that eating too much-processed meats such as bacon and drinking sugary drinks such as soda contributes to risks of diabetes, strokes and heart disease among others. The authors of the study also found that eating foods with high levels of salt raises the risks of high blood pressure among factors that lead to food-related diseases. To this extent, foods such as bacon, bologna, hot dogs, hamburgers, steaks and sugary soda and salty foods have their parts to play in disease-related deaths.

Eating nuts and seeds, fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and seafood rich in Omega-3 fatty acids among other nutrients are best for overall health. Not eating these foods or eating too little of them is also dangerous and must be avoided. It is best to eat these natural foods more and cut down on processed foods to promote better health and longer living, Santa Fe New Mexican reports.

How bad foods affect your overall health

This is not the first study of its kind; in fact, this latest study re-echoes what earlier studies on the same issue have examined. The study examines specific foods that must be eaten in the light of their health benefits, and particular foods or nutrients that must be avoided due to their health risks. Renata Micha, a nutritionist and public health researcher at Tufts University is the lead author of the study.

The authors of the study recommend eating moderate amounts of nuts and seeds, fruits and vegetables, and whole grains among other natural foods such as seafood because of their heart benefits. They discountenanced the consumption of processed meats because of the saturated fats they contain - which can raise levels of bad LDL cholesterol. And to avoid eating salty foods because of the risks of high blood pressure which are bad for the heart and exerts unnecessary pressure on veins and arteries.