These are the surprising health benefits of eating chicken nuggets

Chicken nuggets have never been considered the healthy option, and with killjoys like Jamie Oliver influencing the health conscious people in this world, it's time for us to take a stand. We've done some research about what's actually in chicken nuggets and what health benefits they bring to the table.

I mean, who doesn't love a chicken nugget or 20 after a boozy night out? Or just, you know, Monday lunchtime. But it's a love-hate relationship, as there is an unavoidable inkling of guilt that comes with tucking into a sharer box of nugs by yourself.

Well, my friends, fear the nug guilt no longer! We have found a whole load of health benefits (haha, no, really, we have) of eating chicken nuggets that might even overcome the hight fat content and questionable meat quality. So here they are!

A six-pack of chicken nuggets contains 16.8g of protein

Protein is an essential element of a balanced diet, as it is a component of every cell in the body, and makes up our hair and nails. 16.8g from your chicken nuggets is giving you the long locks and fingernails you've always desired.

Protein reduces hunger and helps you lose weight

The high protein levels in chicken nuggets actually help you to lose weight, as it suppresses hunger. You therefore eat less after eating chicken nuggets, reducing your calorie intake.

Protein also increases your metabolism, and will encourage your body to put on muscle weight, rather than fat, according to Women's Health Magazine.

Chicken nuggets can even be an anti-depressant

They contain an amino acid called tryptophan which causes the body to produce serotonin, a chemical that makes you feel happy. Tryptophan also causes the production of niacin, which has many health benefits.

Like, you literally can't be sad before, during, or after smashing a six box of chicken nugs.

Nuggets can help to reduce the risk of cancer and Alzheimer's

Niacin, a B3 vitamin, is present in chicken nuggets and is known to reduce the risk of developing diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer's.

And it lowers your cholesterol

According to the University of California's Berkeley Wellness page, "niacin has the advantage of raising HDL (“good”) cholesterol. It also lowers triglycerides, fats in the blood that can increase the risk of heart disease."

They make your eyesight better

Chicken contains large amounts of zinc, which reduce the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD), an eye condition which reduces sight, by about 25 per cent.