That fizzy can of soda may seem harmless, but new research shows it could be quietly stealing minutes from your life. A sweeping study from the University of Michigan reveals that drinking just one can of soda can shorten lifespan by about 12 minutes. The research, published in Nature Food, evaluated more than 5,800 foods in the American diet and ranked them by their combined health and environmental impacts.⁠ ⁠ The findings reveal stark trade-offs. A single hot dog can cost 36 minutes of life, corned beef dishes 71 minutes, and even a cheeseburger or breakfast sandwich can subtract around 9 to 13 minutes. Pairing a Coke with a hot dog only compounds the toll. Ultra-processed foods, filled with preservatives, artificial colors, and additives, were consistently the worst offenders, linking not only to reduced longevity but also to elevated risks of obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and depression.⁠ ⁠ But the study also offered reasons for optimism. Certain foods actually add healthy min...