Photo: Getty Images
A new study from researchers at the University of Michigan found that eating a single hot dog can shave 36 minutes off your life. The results of the study made people on Twitter concerned for perennial hot dog eating champion Joey Chestnut.
Sportswriter Gary Sheffield Jr.tweeted, "Joey Chestnut would be dead already. Delete this," with a link to a New York Post story about the study.
"R.I.P Joey Chestnut 1983-1749," Ken McGraw joked in another tweet.
So, what does this study mean for Chestnut, who holds dozens of world records for eating food, including consuming 76 Nathan's hot dogs and buns in just ten minutes during this past July's Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island?
According to the Washington Post, Chestnut estimates he has eaten an average of 1,200 hot dogs a year over the last 16 years, for a total of 19,200 hot dogs. After doing the math, Chestnut has shortened his life by one year and 115 days.
Chestnut told the Post that despite his competitive eating, he lives a reasonably healthy lifestyle.
"The only way I can continue doing it is by being healthy," Chestnut said. "If I start gaining weight and start having issues with my body, then I won't be able to push my body."
The study also listed foods that can add time to your life, including nuts, something Chestnut joked about on Twiter.
"Interesting, I might need to eat more nuts to get time back. Or... Researchers at University of Michigan could be working for Russia."