Hey there, viewers. Hot dogs are one of the most popular foods in
the world. Whether you’re at an afternoon ballgame, or on the street late at night,
they’re the ideal snack to have when you’re on the go. But what are their effects on your body?
We’re constantly bombarded with info on all the gross things they’re made from.
Let’s talk about What Happens To Your Body When You Eat Hot Dogs Every Day.
Do they give you heart attacks? How about increasing your blood
pressure? Why do they say they may help your gut?
Wait, can hot dogs increase your risk of cancer? I’m confused. Let’s begin.
Increased Cancer Risk?
If you’re a hot dog lover, this is bound to hurt you. You see, hot dogs carry something
known as nitrites. These are preservatives added to help maintain their shelf life and
slow down the growth of bacteria. They also give dogs their bright red color.
The problem with nitrates is that they have been linked to cancer. This is the
same with other forms of processed meat. Studies have shown that eating 50 grams
of processed meat each day increased your risk of colorectal cancer by 18%. Just so you know,
50 grams of processed meat is equal to about 4 strips of bacon, or a single hot dog.
Colorectal cancer is any form of cancer that affects the colon or rectum. While
the overall risk of colorectal cancer in most people’s lifetime is 5%,
processed meat can increase your chances to about 6. If you’re eating
a hot dog each and every day, you need to keep these stats in mind.
Ever witnessed a hot dog eating contest? Or better yet,
have you ever been in a hot dog eating contest? Share your
story in the comment section and start a conversation with our Bestie community...
Increased Heart Disease
A daily hot dog might very well increase
your chances of a heart attack. This is too hard for me to bear.
I mean, a hot dog is just so easy to whip together. Dogs? Check! Buns. Check! Mustard.
Check! Throw it in the microwave for 40 seconds, and lunch is served… Or dinner… Or even breakfast.
But this is the issue. Hot dogs are just so dang accessible. No wonder your risk of heart
disease goes up. Depending on the size of the hot dog, you may have two or three in a sitting.
Processed meat is extremely high in saturated fat. One regular-sized dog on a bun amounts to almost
30% of your daily intake. This is directly linked to heart disease. If you really are eating three
hot dogs as a standard lunch, you’ll be eating 90% of your suggested saturated fat in one meal.
Think about the amount of saturated fat you're having in a full day if that’s the case.
You also have sodium to worry about. Hot dogs have one of the highest concentrations of sodium
in any food. That same-sized dog from a second ago holds well-over 30% of your daily intake.
Experts recommend no more than 2300 mg of sodium per day. That’s equal to around 1
tablespoon. However, the average American has about 3400 mg of sodium in a day.
Too much sodium will lead to high blood pressure. Plaque will build up in your arteries,
making it much harder for your heart to pump blood. Over time, this will lead you to a heart
attack or stroke. If this isn’t a reason to cut back on your hot dog intake, I’m not sure what is.
Before we continue, are you trying to get in shape? Are you a little too tired to do the work?
Check out our recent video on Healthy Meals You Can Cook On a Lazy Weekend.
Now back to our discussion on What Happens To Your Body Eating Hot Dogs Every Day.
So Can They Actually Help Your Gut?
From what we’ve heard so far, hot dogs sound like poison. Well there might be a positive
effect to eating them every day. But here’s the kicker, it’s not the actual hot dog that
benefits your gut. It’s a certain topping. When was the last time you ate sauerkraut?
Sauerkraut is chopped up, raw cabbage that has been fermented.
Fermented foods contain live bacteria that can help your digestion. With sauerkraut,
the probiotics assist your gut in its ability to absorb nutrients. This allows you to
process your food easier. As a result, your trips to the bathroom will be much easier and
more frequent. You’ll have less constipation. A healthier gut can also lead to weight loss.
Sauerkraut is one of the most popular toppings for a hot dog.
Almost every street meat stand offers it. I get it, sauerkraut isn't for everyone.
I had to warm up to it myself. But if you’re concerned about the health of your gut, have some.
Keep in mind that healthy gut bacteria is not the only thing sauerkraut has
going for it. It may prevent the risk of certain cancers, as well as build strong
bones. A regular diet of sauerkraut will also strengthen your immune system.
This is again thanks to the probiotics from the bacteria. They improve the
balance of bacteria in your gut, which keeps your gut lining in proper shape.
Healthy gut lining will stop harmful substances from leaking into the body.
Outside of stopping harmful particles from spreading, it can also boost the production
of natural antibodies. This supports your immunity and reduces your chances of disease,
infections and even the common cold.
Just imagine beating a cold, but eating a steady diet of hot dogs.
Well don’t get your hopes up. That’s pretty wishful thinking. You still shouldn’t be
eating hot dogs every day. When the occasion calls for it, try some sauerkraut with it.
Increased Risk of Diabetes
While a hot dog with sauerkraut definitely has its positives, there’s another hot dog topping
that isn’t so promising. One that can increase your chances of developing diabetes… Ketchup.
Now I know most of you aren’t sauerkraut lovers, but the vast majority of us either eat ketchup
on the regular, or have in the past. It’s one of the most popular condiments in the world,
and one that has been a hot dog staple for decades. There’s just so much sugar.
It’s recommended that you eat no more than 50 grams of sugar per day.
One ketchup packet holds close to 2 grams. Doesn’t seem like too much right? Well think about this…
How many ketchup packets will you use on one hot dog? I’ve seen people drown their food in ketchup.
Let’s say you use three packets on one dog. That’s almost 6 grams right there.
Still doesn’t seem like a lot? Well what if you eat more than one hot dog in a sitting,
with the same amount of ketchup on each. That’s over 20% of your daily sugar right there.
Ketchup can be really dangerous for people with type-2 diabetes. If you have health problems,
you should stay away from heavy hot dog eating in general. But if you
can’t resist a good dog every once in a while, go easy on the ketchup.
Repairs Tissue
Wow, so not only do hot dogs have the potential to maintain your gut, they may also be able to
strengthen your tissues. Well, guess what, there’s a little more to it than that.
Yes, hot dogs can repair your tissue. But you need to get the kind with lots of protein.
A steady protein diet can reduce cravings, improve your digestion and help you build
muscle among other things. The average person requires up to 56 grams a day.
The average hot dog contains over 9 grams of protein. If you eat a couple dogs for lunch,
I’d say that’s a pretty decent amount. Protein allows you to build and repair
tissues. This is essential for a healthy, functioning body.
Tissue is a group of cells and fluid that work together to perform a certain task. These could
be the cells in your heart, or the blood cells that carry oxygen from one place to another. When
your body tries to repair itself, it seeks out the help of protein to fix the damage.
This is really important after you exercise. Ever
wondered why you see bodybuilders drink protein shakes after a hard workout,
or chow down on a protein-heavy meal? It’s all to repair their tissues and help build muscle.
Now don’t get me wrong, this doesn’t mean you eat hot dogs every single day.
But if you have one every now and then, it can give you some good
protein. You just have to be cautious of all the other garbage they’re made with.
Hot dogs aren’t the greatest thing for you to eat,
and there are so many other foods you need to be cautious of. Have I sparked
your interest? Let’s keep the conversation going with a couple more videos, shall we?
How about 8 Foods You Should Never Eat If You Want To Be Healthy? Or
17 Foods That Are Bad For Your Skin?
Go ahead, click one. Or better yet, watch both, and learn which junk foods to stay away from.
Are you a real hot dog enthusiast? Let us know in the comments below.