Junk foods How unhealthy they are

Fast foods are very popular for great taste and convenience.  Studies found three in 10 urban teens eat four to six meals a week at fast-food restaurants. Foods commonly considered junk foods include salted snack foods, gum, candy, sweet desserts, fried fast food, and sugary carbonated beverages.  Many foods such as hamburgers, pizza, and tacos can be considered either healthy or junk food depending on their ingredients and preparation methods. In nut shell, highly processed food items usually fall under the junk food category. The Hundreds of multinational companies, restaurants are into fast food and processed food business having collective turnover in millions. They glamorise eating their products. While tasting the French fries, hamburger or Pizza, we never think, as how much harmful they may be for our health?

To enhance the taste, for better look, to preserve products longer and to make prices comfortable, much harmful stuffs are added in such products, not needed to mention the high calories, salt and sugar they contain. That’s why fast foods are the leading causes of child and adult obesity and many diseases.

Junk foods can lead to range of attendant health problems, including diabetes, heart disease and arthritis. A new study, published in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology, indicates that damage to the arteries occurs almost immediately after just one junk food-type meal. Based on the science, moderation with junk food doesn’t really exist.

Here are the facts about how excessive junk food consumption affects your body.

Junk foods reduce body energy levels

High levels of sugar put your metabolism under stress; when you eat refined sugar, your pancreas secretes high amounts of insulin to prevent a dangerous spike in blood sugar levels.

Because fast food and junk food dont contain adequate amounts of protein and good carbohydrates, your blood sugar levels will drop suddenly after some time of eating, leaving you grumpy, fatigued and craving sugar.

Junk food contributesobesity and poor performance

The high amount of fat, cream, sugar and calories in Junk foods accumulates in your body as fat, youll gain weight and could become obese. A 2007 survey from the July 2009 journal “Obesity” found that the average fast food lunch totaled 827 calories. In fact, a May 2012 study in “Obesity Surgery” suggested that among behavioural factors, fast food consumption had the most influence on the growing rate of severe obesity. The more weight you gain, the more youll be at risk for serious chronic illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease and arthritis. You could even have a heart attack.

Junk food enhanceshypertension

The high levels of fat and sodium in junk food can cause high blood pressure or hypertension. Excessive dietary sodium can also have a negative effect on renal function, even leading to kidney disease. A healthy adult below 50 years of age or a teen should not consume more than 2,300 milligrams salt per day. It should be not more than 1,500 milligrams, if you are above 50 yers or having hypertension or kidney problems. Yet many fast-food restaurant items contain more than half that amount. 10 ounces of typical potato chips have 1,680 milligrams of sodium.

Junk Food Can Damage Liverand Heart

The high levels of fat and sodium in junk food and fast food can contribute to heart disease by raising blood cholesterol levels and contributing to arterial plaque build up. According to a study by Dr. Gary Plotnick, a cardiologist at the University of Maryland Medical Center, within three to five hours after eating a high-fat meal, the blood vessels function abnormally. For a healthy person, this is usually a minor, temporary event. For someone with coronary disease, this could cause a cardiac event, such as a heart attack or stroke.

The high levels of trans fatty acids found in many junk foods and fast foods can lead to fatty liver deposits, which, over time, can cause liver dysfunction and cancer.

Junk Food Can Lead toDiabetes

Over time, the high levels of sugar and simple carbohydrates in junk food can lead to type 2 diabetes. This occurs because eating too much sugar puts your metabolism under stress; when you eat a lot of refined white sugar and simple carbohydrates, your body has to pump up insulin production to prevent a dangerous spike in blood sugar levels. 

Because junk food doesnt contain the protein or complex carbohydrates that your body needs to maintain consistent blood sugar levels, your blood sugar levels will drop suddenly soon after eating. Youll crave sugar and likely end up eating more junk food.

Over time, this stress damages your bodys ability to use the insulin secreted by your pancreas. A healthy diet can help maintain your bodys insulin sensitivity.

Junk food may lead to Depression and Addiction

Studies linked fast foods to depression. According to “Public health nutrition” article 2012, those who eat junk foods regularly are 51% more likely to develop depression and more you eat greater the risk of depression will be.

Additionally, some research suggests -- but has not proven -- that fast food may be addictive, according to a September 2011 article in “Current Drug Abuse Reviews.”

Junk food increasesthe risk of Cancer

According to Corporate Accountability International, one-third of cancers are related to poor diet. This is often paired with the fact that obesity is closely linked with cancers of the colon, kidney and esophagus. All packaged foods contain high amount of Trans fats which is highly associated with risk of cancer and heart diseases.

Even in the short term, eating too much junk food can make you feel really uncomfortable. It can lead to mood swings and constipation, and lower your energy levels so that you lack interest in the exercise you need to burn off those extra calories. So friends! Please eat junk foods in minimal. 

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