A recent study has revealed surprising facts about some of the most commonly consumed foods in the American diet.

Although many people believe they are eating a healthy diet, these foods may secretly be contributing to excessive intake of saturated fats and sugar.

These hidden dietary risks could undermine healthy lifestyle efforts and, over time, increase the risk of developing chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity.

What makes this discovery even more alarming is the fact that many of these foods are not normally high fat or sugar contentmaking it more difficult for consumers to identify the risks.

Unexpected sources of fat and sugar

The study was conducted by researchers from The Ohio State University And Georgetown Universityanalyzed data from over 36,000 adults in the United States.

Research highlights the fact that common foods such as Chicken breast And ketchupwhich are often perceived as healthy or harmless, actually contribute to a steady accumulation of saturated fats and sugar throughout the day.

Even small amounts of these nutrients consumed in multiple meals or snacks can cause people to exceed recommended daily limits of fat and sugar intake. This cumulative effect makes it difficult for consumers to stay within healthy limits without realizing it.

For example, chicken breast, which is generally considered a lower-fat protein option, still contains small amounts of saturated fat. According to Christopher TaylorProfessor and Director of Medical Dietetics at The Ohio State University“Chicken breast is promoted as a low-fat food, but it still contains a small amount of saturated fat. However, it is helpful to know how foods containing smaller amounts also slowly and secretly introduce saturated fat into the diet.” This means that even seemingly healthy foods can contribute to unhealthy nutritional values ​​when eaten regularly.

Hidden sugar in everyday foods

Added sugar is often hidden in foods that many people would not consider sweet. Spices such as ketchup And Barbecue saucetogether with Cereal bars, Fruit drinksand even breadare important sources of sugar that often go unnoticed.

Susan SchembreAssociate Professor of Oncology at Georgetown Universitypointed out the widespread presence of added sugar in processed foods, explaining, “It’s everywhere. It’s in so many unexpected foods and often in surprising amounts.” This hidden sugar consumption can add up quickly, leading to overconsumption and increasing the risk of health problems such as diabetes and metabolic disorders.

The cumulative effect of “healthy” foods

Research showed that Americans, on average, consume more than the recommended daily amount of saturated Fats and sugarsSaturated fats make up at least 12% of daily calorieswhile the sugar content is 14 to 16%, which is far above the recommended 10%.

These excesses are not only the result of the enjoyment of obvious pleasures such as pizza And Ice cream but also from the secret addition of foods that may seem relatively harmless.

As Taylor explained: “There are foods that are higher in saturated fat and added sugar and are commonly consumed, and those are targeted. But there is also the smaller cumulative effect of things that are generally perceived as healthy, but all contribute only a small part.”

Long-term health effects

The implications of these findings are of great importance for public health. Over time, regular consumption of saturated fats and sugar may increase the risk of developing serious health problems.

A high content of saturated fatty acids in the diet can lead to increased LDL cholesterolwhich is often referred to as “bad” cholesterol because it contributes to plaque buildup in the arteries, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Likewise, excessive sugar intake has been linked to insulin resistance, a major factor in the development of Type 2 diabetes.