Nowadays, almost everyone especially kids love eating junk foods. But how many of us are aware of the dangerous outcomes of eating them ?
The Merriam-Webster defines junk food as;
1. Food that is high in calories but low in nutritional content.
2. Something that is appealing or enjoyable but of little or no real value.
Junk foods contain high amounts of trans-fat, high sugar content and are processed. Consuming these foods regularly causes many adverse health issues. Some of the health issues are as follows:
Obesity
Obesity is a condition where excessive fat accumulates in the body. Junk foods contain high calories and the body is unable to burn these excess calories resulting in obesity. Obesity itself leads to many health complications like cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and high blood pressure.
Mental health
A new study suggests that eating junk foods leads to depression. Researchers found that foods containing lot of fat, sugar or food that was processed led to inflammation in the hippocampus area of the brain. Chronic inflammation affects the brain chemistry. It can also impair neurotransmitters responsible for mood regulation resulting in depression.
Junk foods on a regular basis can also deteriorate memory. A study conducted at Brown University found that consumption of junk foods lead to dementia.
Overeating
Junk foods also lessen the ability to control appetite. It interferes with the neurotransmitters which results in sending mixed signals to the brain resulting in overeating.
Lack of energy
Junk foods contain fewer amounts of nutrients like protein, vitamins and minerals. Hence they provide little amount of energy causing fatigue easily.
So why go for junk when you have healthy options ?
Let’s substitute junk foods with healthy foods.
Snack on fruits, nuts and berries. Include Vegetables and natural fruit juices in you diet
Eat healthy food for a better well being.
