Protein is essential for the body to build muscle, heal cells, boost immunity and help maintain good body shape. The body gets protein and amino acids mostly from a balanced diet. Dietitians and health experts say you need 0.8 grams of protein per day of your body weight to ensure proper functioning of the body. Chicken is undoubtedly one of the most surprising sources of protein. Moreover, it is less fatty than other meats. Chicken also contains essential B vitamins, selenium and choline. But is it healthy to eat chicken every day? Here are some risks of eating chicken regularly.

Increases the risk of heart diseases
Although chicken has less fat than red meat, it contains saturated fats. Therefore, eating chicken every day can lead to high cholesterol levels and increase the risk of heart disease. According to a study published in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine, the risk of heart disease is 60 percent higher in those who consume animal-based protein compared to plant-based proteins such as legumes and grains.
cancer risk
A 2019 study published in the Journal of Cancer says people who eat chicken every day have a slightly higher chance of developing certain types of cancer, including non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and prostate cancer. Frying or grilling chicken at high temperatures creates carcinogenic molecules such as Heterocyclic Amino Acids (HCA) and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH).

Digestion and food safety
Foodborne bacteria such as salmonella or campylobacter found in chicken can harm your health. According to a report published by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 1 million Americans are affected by salmonella each year. This bacteria is spread mainly through uncooked chicken.
weight gain
Although chicken is generally seen as a food that helps lose weight, the results may be the opposite if not consumed carefully. If you cannot manage your total calorie intake while eating chicken daily, it may cause you to gain weight. Processed chicken products such as nuggets and fried chicken contain high amounts of sodium, calories and unhealthy fats. Those who regularly rely on chicken for protein instead of fish, beans and legumes are likely to gain more weight, an American Journal of Clinical Nutrition study notes.

antibiotic resistance
A study published in the Journal of Food Science and Technology in 2018 revealed that antibiotics and hormones injected into chickens on farms can cause serious health problems in humans. Regular consumption of these chickens can cause antibiotic resistance and hormone-related problems, making infections difficult to treat using antibiotics.