We know that overindulging in our favorite foods isn’t good for
our health, but researchers propose a new way of quantifying
just how harmful those treats can be. Now that we’re in the
midst of the holiday season, calorie-laden foods seem to be
ubiquitous — sugary cookies, sweet candies and juicy hams
dripping with honey. But in the holiday issue of the BMJ,
researchers report that making a habit of overindulging in rich
fare can take years off your life. In fact, the scientists
calculated exactly how much our favorite foods can shorten our
life span; eating red meat every day, for example, is linked to
a loss of at least 30 minutes off of your life. (MORE: How to
Live 100 Years) Dr. David Spiegelhalter, a statistician at the
University of Cambridge and author of the study, says that it’s
not the occasional indulgence but consistent over-eating of
certain foods that can impact your longevity. But for most
people, weighing the immediate gratification of eating a steak
sizzling on a plate in front of you agains