Junk food has become increasingly popular in our society, especially after the introduction of fast-food restaurants such as Burger King and McDonald’s. But what exactly is junk food? How can we define it?
What is junk food?
Foods that have little or no nutritional value can be classified as junk food. These foods contain a very small amount of vitamins, minerals, and protein, but a large number of calories from fat or sugar.
Junk foods are usually highly processed. and contain more fat, sugar, salt, and less fibre. Some of them also contain preservatives and artificial colours. Some popular and well-known junk foods are fast food, potato chips, french fries, sauces, salty snacks, potato chips, very sweet desserts, and soft drinks.
What are the components of junk food?
Artificial colours and preservatives :
Many junk foods contain artificial colors and preservatives that are not good for our bodies, they act more like poison.
With the cooperation of the Swedish National Food Administration, research was carried out at the University of Stockholm. The research showed that cooking or frying carbohydrate-rich foods, such as potatoes or cereals, formed acrylamide.
International Agency for Research on Cancer, found that acrylamide induces gene mutations. also, it’s causes damage to the central and peripheral nervous system.
The lowest amount of nutrients :
Most junk foods contain very low nutritional ingredients such as protein, vitamins, and minerals, rather than more fat, sugar, and salt. They are also very low in fiber.
By eating too much junk food, we only give our bodies carbohydrates and deprive them of other nutrients. Therefore, in return, our body will also deprive us of good physical condition.
What are the effects of junk food on health?
Higher risk of suffering from health problems :
If you are a person who is addicted to eating junk food almost every day or regularly, you are certainly going to gain more weight unless you do a good amount of physical work every day. There is absolutely no doubt about that.
Overweight or obesity will lead you to serious health problems such as heart disease, joint problems, high blood pressure.
Also, these serious problems, are also responsible for faster tooth decay, constipation, digestive problems, and fatigue.
Junk food is a real threat to children and younger age groups :
If your children eat too much junk food, you really should control their eating habits. Because if they eat too much of this type of food, they will eat less nutritious food.
This won’t guarantee them adequate nutrition for proper growth and they will suffer from tooth decay, loose bones, and being overweight in the early years of their lives.
Snack food contributes to a lack of enthusiasm, headaches, stomach aches, and low concentrations in children.
Having diabetes type 2 :
Constantly eating junk food can lead to other health problems such as diabetes.
There are two types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2.
Type 1 is when you get it for hereditary reasons.
and type 2 is usually when you get diabetes because of bad habits such as fast food.
Type 2 diabetes is usually reversible. So exercising and eating healthy foods again will do wonders for you.
Junk food contains components such as poison :
Junk food contains a lot of salt, especially French fries and hamburgers.
Salt increases blood pressure and puts extra pressure on your kidneys.
People who are obese and overweight are more likely to develop kidney failure and may need dialysis treatment.
Also, it contains a lot of sugar, especially from potato chips, soft drinks, and cookies.
actually, these types of foods also cause tooth decay and are very likely to be aggressive to the stomach and blood.
Sugar is poisonous to your body. Over time, your body will start to decline and this will cause various health problems.
Increased bad cholesterol is another health problem that has not been addressed. This will put a strain on the heart and is associated with heart attacks.
