There is a general consensus that most fast food items are unhealthy, but according to a new study, the food at higher-end restaurants may actually be worse for you. The Telegraph writes that Ruopeng An — a professor at the University of Illinois — studied the health data of 18,000 adults in the U.S. across eight years. The research revealed that while those who visited restaurants ate more vitamins and potassium than those who visited fast food chains, they also consumed higher levels of harmful nutrients.
Compared to eating at home, both dining at fast food chains and higher end restaurants increased the amount of sodium people consumed per day. However, those who ate at fast food outlets saw an average increase of 300 mg, while those who dined at restaurants encountered an increase of 412 mg. Most notably, those who dined at restaurants ate on average 58 mg more cholesterol per day compared to those who ate at home. People who dined in chains only consumed an additional 10 mg.
Regardless of whether someone dined at a restaurant or a fast food outlet, the study found that they were both unhealthier options than dining at home. Overall, "People who ate outside the home ended up consuming about 200 additional calories." That's not the only bad news for avid restaurant goers: In April, a new study showed that eating out frequently can also lead to higher blood pressure.