Junk food is delicious to your palate, but the harmful consequences of junk food are well-known. Consuming them regularly can have adverse effects on your health and cause irreparable harm to your body. Numerous scientific studies have shown that eating junk food can make you vulnerable to heart ailments and eventually render your brain ineffective and ineffective. Consuming junk food can affect your physical and your mental well-being. Let’s take a deep dive into the specifics of junk food and the harmful effects they have on your health.
What is junk food?
“Junk food” is those which are deficient in nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. They are also packed with Kilojoules (energy) and sugars, salts, and fats. Junk food is referred to like that because it plays no part in healthy eating, mainly when consumed in large quantities. It is referred to as discretionary food or optional food.
A few examples of junk food are:
- Cakes & biscuits
- fast food (such as hot chips and burgers, and pizzas)
- Chocolate and sweets
- Processed animal meat (such as bacon)
- chips, snacks (such as chips)
- sweet drinks (such as energy drinks, sports, or soft drinks)
- Drinks with alcohol
Why is junk food so bad?
Foods that are processed and junk regularly can increase the chance of being overweight and developing chronic disorders like heart problems and type 2 diabetes, non-alcoholic liver disease, and certain cancers.
We’re aware that Australians eat excessive amounts of junk food.
- Thirty-five percent of adults’ energy consumption (kilojoules) is derived from junk foods.
- 41% of kids’ everyday energy consumption (kilojoules) is derived from junk food.
This means that junk food is replacing healthier foods in our diets.
Why do people find junk food so appealing?
Source:https://inspirehuahin.com/health-and-fitness/reward-healthy-food-choices-unhealthy-foods/
Although we might think that we love junk food merely because it tastes delicious, there’s a scientific reason behind why we desire to eat much more. The brain is arousing us to pursue pleasurable experiences, like eating delicious food. This brain-based encouragement can be described as the “reward system.
When we consume delicious meals (including unhealthy food), our brain’s reward system gets activated. The brain secretes a chemical known as dopamine. The chemical rush floods your brain with pleasure, and the brain produces more dopamine receptors as a response. Similar to how those suffering from a drug or alcohol dependency require an increased dose as time passes, you’ll be more inclined to eat unhealthy food items the more you consume them.
Effects of junk food on health
Junk food is many things that we consume to convenience and taste. We are all getting a little bored, and therefore we have to rely on or use ready-made food items. At present, people spend more than 40percent of their earnings on food and consume the most delicious meals of their lives without even being aware of the adverse effects of junk food. But, doctors around the globe have made it evident that the majority of illnesses that humans suffer from result from poor food habits. We cannot list all the negative consequences of junk food on health, but we’ve attempted to list the most common side effects for the general public’s understanding.
1. You’ll increase your chance of developing obesity.
Source:https://www.irishmirror.ie/lifestyle/family/dear-coleen-overweight-son-stays-18800987
If you change from a healthy diet consisting of whole food to one that consists of eating fast foods, the first change you’d notice is the massive increase of (largely unneeded) calories consumed per meal. Hey, belly fat. The worst part is: “The high-calorie intake can result in weight gain, which puts your body at risk of developing chronic illnesses,” warns Jim White, RD, ACSM, the owner of Jim White Fitness & Nutrition Studios. Adults who admitted to eating fast food for at least one of the two days in which researchers studied them showed a higher BMI (BMI) than people who did not eat any fast food items, according to research released in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition. The study concluded that regular fast food consumption could contribute to weight increase.
2. Your ability to remember and cognitive function will diminish.
Fast food items like bacon burgers and other food items that are fried and milkshakes are usually packed with saturated fats. “It’s been well-established that saturated fats may harm the heart; however, research suggests that the consumption of saturated fats can affect the brain’s function and memory,” says Moore. She also says that higher intakes of saturated fats can hinder memory speed, flexibility, and future memory (your capacity to remember how you did what you wanted to do). It was your intention not to go into the drive-thru. Remember?
3. You’ll raise inflammation
A phthalate is a group of endocrine-disrupting chemical toxins used to make up the plastic used for packaging food and beverages. They’re unfortunately not suitable for your overall health. A 2018 Environment International study found that those who ate a lot of fast food were 35 percent more likely to have higher phthalate-metabolites than people who typically eat food purchased from a grocery store & then cooked at home. This is a bad sign for those who love breakfast all day because an Environmental Science & Technology study discovered that phthalates are associated with inflammation. Another study from Environmental Health connected higher exposure to phthalates with metabolic syndrome, which is a condition that is often caused by an increase in inflammation. Inflammation can trigger various health issues, ranging including obesity and nutritional deficiency.
4. Depression
Junk food is loaded with fats and sugars that could trigger chemical reactions within the brain, affecting the way it functions. The body is deprived of essential amino acids and nutrients by taking in excessive amounts. The results eventually result in the brain’s inability to handle stress and cause depression.
5. Your stomach and kidneys are going to be affected.
It can also contribute to hypertension or increased size of the heart muscle. If you suffer from congestive failure, cirrhosis, or kidney problems, excessive salt could cause a risky accumulation of fluid. Salt intake can increase the chances of having kidney stones and kidney disease.
6. Your blood sugar is likely to spike.
Source:https://www.abiomed.com/patients-and-caregivers/blog/what-is-blood-pressure
Consuming fast food high in carbs increases the amount of blood sugar you have. If you eat white flour-based meals, such as the bun that comes with your hamburger or French fries that accompany your sandwich, your body absorbs a significant quantity of white sugar. “Frequent intake of such food items can lead to health issues like obesity.
7.Inadequate growth & development
A deficiency in vitamins and nutrients is just one of the numerous negative consequences of junk food. Vitamins and nutrients are crucial for your body’s proper development and growth. Poor eating habits, combined with an imbalance in fatty acids and the requirement for nutrition, can hinder the growth of your brain and other organs. Sugar and soda consumption can also lead to tooth decay and the weakening of bones.
Consider these dangers of junk food before you begin the habit of eating them. Although there can be no replacement for a healthy diet and nutritious foods, it is prudent to equip you with a health insurance plan.
