6 Harmful Effects of Junk Food
The Negative Side Of Fast Food And junk
Junk foods are food and
drinks with low nutritional value (e.g. vitamins, minerals and fiber) and high
in kilojoules, fat, sugars and/or salt. On the other hand, fast foods are a
type of food you get from a restaurant designed to be delivered to you in the
quickest way possible. Some fast foods can be healthy, but typically most fast
foods are junk food. For example, salad, sushi and sandwiches are healthy forms
of fast food. However, most fast food restaurants, such as McDonalds or KFC
serve unhealthy junk food.
While the occasional night of junk food won’t hurt much, eating Junk foods regular has been shown to lead to increased risks of obesity and chronic diseases. Cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and some cancers all have causes in excessive junk food consumption. Further, the specific content of many fast foods can have negative side effects for your body;
1. Cancer
A poor diet that is
high in fats, sugars, salts, and kilojoules, has been linked to a higher risk
of many cancers. In a study published in the journal PLOS Medicine, researchers
reported that people who ate the most junk food showed a higher risk of
stomach, colorectal, and respiratory tract cancers. Follow a diet rich in
fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and plant-based proteins to reduce the risk
of certain cancers and help you stay healthy.
2. Skin problems
Eating a lot of junk or
processed foods can cause various skin problems like pimples and acne breakouts.
For example, a research review from 2021 showed that foods high in fats,
refined carbs, and sugars were linked with acne. Other studies have also
reported that diets high in dairy foods may be associated with an increased
risk of acne. Adopting a balanced diet will go a long way toward preventing
acne and other skin issues. A balanced diet is a diet that contains an adequate
amount of all essential nutrients
3. Liver disease
Diet plays a major role
in the development and progression of liver disease. Several studies have shown
that excessive consumption of foods that are loaded with unhealthy fats,
proteins from meat, refined carbs, and sugar, can cause non-alcoholic fatty liver
disease. Unhealthy foods such as junk food combined with a sedentary lifestyle
can cause liver damage, leading to cirrhosis and increasing the risk of liver
cancer.
4. High cholesterol
Diets high in saturated fat can raise the levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, or ‘bad’ cholesterol. Avoid or limit the intake of junk food and other unhealthy high-cholesterol foods to reduce your risk while creating a more favorable LDL-to-HDL ratio. High-density lipoproteins (HDL), also known as ‘good’ cholesterol, helps remove other types of cholesterol from your bloodstream.
5. Headaches and migraine
Junk food high in sodium can lead to increased headaches and migraine
6. Depression
Eating excessive amounts of junk food may
increase your risk of depression
The carbs and sugar in junk foods can lead
to dental cavities that may need to be treated by your family dentist
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