Eating Fast Food Everyday: Can You Really Ate it?
Introduction:- Fast foods are a common feature in most people’s diets in modern society because of their convenience. Convenient, cheaper, and sometimes even tasty it became a favorite among people with a rather tight schedule. Nonetheless, it is possible sometimes to indulge in a portion of fast food without any negative consequences, would you build a daily habit out of it? In this article, the author described 10 negative impacts of Eating Fast Food Everyday.
10 Side Effects of Eating Fast Food Everyday
1. Weight Gain and Obesity –Eating Fast Food Everyday
Most fast foods are filled with calories, unhealthy fats, sugars, and other products of refined carbohydrates. Beef burgers, French fries, pizzas, and sweetened soft drinks provide most of the extra calories in our diets and are usually consumed without thought. Taking foods rich in calories regularly is dangerous since the extra calories are accumulated in the body in the form of fats. In the long run, this results to overweight and can cause obesity. Obesity is known to lead to many diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and some forms of cancer.
2. Prepared with a Higher Cholesterol Level and is Prone to Heart Disease
Most of these foods are rich in trans fats, saturated fat as well foods with high amounts of sodium are risky to cardiovascular health. Chemically, commercial cookies contain trans fats and saturated fats that increase the bad cholesterol known as LDL, and decrease the good cholesterol (HDL). High cholesterol together with high sodium greatly increases the formation of plaque thus increasing the chances of atherosclerosis – the narrowing of arteries. This condition raises the chances of a heart attack or stroke.
3. Poor Nutritional Quality – Eating Fast Food Everyday
Many fast foods are also nutrient-poor because they lack vitamins and minerals and contain very little fiber. If taken daily, it may result in malnutrition. For instance, fast foods are deficient in a dietary fiber that is so important in the digestive system and maintaining blood sugar within normal range. If vitamins and minerals are deficient, as with vitamin C, vitamin D, and iron, the body’s immune system can be compromised and the body is more easily invaded by sickness.
4. Digestive Issues – Eating Fast Food Everyday
Most fast foods are very limited in fiber which plays a vital role in keeping digestion healthy. Fiber ensures that food runs through the gut and hence food does not remain in the tummy thus eliminating constipation. Lack of fiber may cause problems with digestion; the colon is not able to function properly – constipation, gas, pain, and so on. Also, the level of fats in most fast foods is relatively high and this delays digestion and may lead to ulcers or Gastroesophageal reflux disease (Gerd).
5. Primacy: High Risk of developing type 2 Diabetes
Among various effects eradicating fast foods can help prevent the development of insulin resistance consequently leading to type 2 diabetes. The carbohydrates in fast foods especially those that have been processed to have ‘added sugars’ make the blood sugar levels rise quickly. In the long run, the pancreas gets under pressure to provide insulin, and the body’s cells start getting insensitive to insulin, thus high blood sugar levels. This can in the end lead to type 2 diabetes which is a serious disease that one has to live with all their life.
6. Fast Food Effect on Mental Health
It means that fast food is not only unhealthy for our bodies but also for our minds and spirits. A study found that people who eat most processed and fast foods are more likely to be depressed and anxious than those who eat natural foods. This means that there are no necessary nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids for the brain and many children consume unhealthy fats and sugar leading to poor mood and stunted brain development. Also, obesity and other associated diseases can cause low self-esteem and produce an improper body image which also contributes to mental health.
7. Addiction to Junk Food
Fast food is trigger foods and are made as hyper-palatable foods; that is, foods that are maximum reinforcement to the brain. This is because salt, sugar, and fat make dopamine release, and since this is a ‘feel-good factor one gets the sensation of Feeling Good. The brain starts over time to develop this urge to seek these feelings, thereby making it hard to resist fast food. It can provoke the vicious circle of overeating, when people tend to continue eating fast food, if not the only available type of food, but the only familiar one known to them as healthy.
8. Higher Risk of Cancer – Eating Fast Food Everyday
Adding to this, preservatives, additives, colors, and artificial Flavors added in fast foods may lead to cancer at some point in time. Smoked, cured, and salted meats such as bacon, sausages, and hot dogs which are common constituents of fast foods have been ranked as Group 1 human carcinogens by the WHO. Moreover, the choice of certain ways of preparing food, for instance, frying at high temperatures generates unhealthy substances like acrylamide the consumption of which increases cancer risks.
9. Weakened Your Immune System – Eating Fast Food Everyday
Junk foods have nutrients that can begin to sap the immune system and it will be more difficult for the body to be able to combat infections and diseases. Some fast foods also lack antioxidants and phytonutrients, and these help to strengthen the immune system in people. In addition, the high sugar content, especially in most fast foods has been seen to impair the normal functioning of the white blood cells – the body’s immune system – by stopping their proper functioning.
10. Affect on Skin Health – Eating Fast Food Everyday
Day after day of consuming fast foods may significantly affect your skin. Fast foods have a high glycaemic index meaning, they increase the production of insulin and androgens – hormones that make the skin produce more oil. This means that the skin will become full of spots that block the pores and lead to acne. Moreover, fast foods are low in vitamins and nutrients that support healthy skin, which amplify problems such as skin dryness and the beginning signs of aging.
Conclusion
As much as fast foods are fast and easy to acquire, they come with a lot of danger to the body system both internally and externally. The side effects include weight gain and heart disease risk digestive problems nutritional deficiencies and mental health complications such as depression. Eliminating the unhealthy consumption of fast foods and embracing a nutritionally adequate diet with nutrient-dense nutrients, fruits, vegetables, and lean meats have benefits to health over the long run. Choice and moderation should be added to the diet and many of the disadvantageous effects shown above linked to frequent fast-food consumption may be avoided.
