Do you love eating fries? Are you amongst them who find themselves eating junk food a lot? If you have answered yes to these questions, this article is a pot of gold for you. Many of us like junk food a lot that we cannot live without consuming it. So, it can be said that junk food is bad for us. The more we consume, the more we damage ourselves. So, let us look at some of the disadvantages of eating junk food.
1. Digestive Problems
Junk food impairs digestion. Those who are addicted to fatty junk food are bound to have digestive problems like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). That’s because junk food is deep-fried. So, the oil from the junk food gets deposited in the stomach causing acidity. They cause irritation of the stomach lining because they are too spicy, and they also lack fiber which is important for proper digestion. Many people tend to develop intestinal problems after eating too much spicy junk food.
2. Depression in Teenagers
Junk food may lead to depression in teenagers. A lot of hormonal changes take place in teenagers which makes them susceptible to mood swings and behavioral changes. And a healthy diet plays an important role in maintaining that hormonal balance. Because junk food lacks those essential nutrients, the likelihood of teenagers suffering from depression is increased by 58 percent. Also, teenagers develop an addiction to eating unhealthy food which damages their internal systems. Hence, junk food does not only have health consequences but also psychological consequences as well.
3. Blood Sugar Level
It causes fluctuations in blood sugar levels. Junk food is high in refined sugar which puts your metabolism under stress. Refined sugar causes the pancreas to secrete more amount of insulin in order to prevent a drastic spike in your blood sugar levels. Because junk food lacks sufficient levels of good carbohydrates and proteins, the levels of blood sugar drop suddenly after you eat. This makes you feel irritable and further increases your craving for more junk food. In fact, diabetes is the cause of a number of diseases. So, it is better to stay away from it as much as possible.
4. Cancer
It increases your risk of cancer. A study published in the European Journal of Cancer Prevention revealed that consuming too many fast foods that are high in sugar and fat can increase your chances of developing colorectal cancer. Another study from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle showed that men who ate fried foods more than twice in a month had an increased risk of developing prostate cancer. Certain types of cancer are a result of eating unhealthy foods and developing a fatigue lifestyle.
5. Kidney Problems
Junk Food can cause kidney disease. The reason why you can never say no to fries and chips is that they contain a high amount of finely processed salt which increases salivation and secretion of enzymes that enhances your cravings. A high amount of bad fats and sodium from salt increases blood pressure and affects kidney function. As a result, patients have to rely on dialysis for survival. This is also one of the reasons why dialysis cases are rising rapidly.
So, you have got an idea about the negative sides of eating junk food. Now, let us look at what we should eat to overcome this problem.
Fruits: apples, bananas, oranges, and berries
Vegetables: leafy greens, peppers, broccoli, and cauliflower
Whole grains and starches: oats, brown rice, quinoa, and sweet potatoes
Seeds and nuts: almonds, walnuts, and sunflower seeds
Legumes: beans, peas, and lentils
Healthy protein sources: fish, shellfish, tofu, steak, and poultry
Dairy: Greek yogurt, cheese, and fermented dairy products like kefir
Healthy fats: olive oil, nut butter, avocados, and coconut
Healthy beverages: water, sparkling water, green tea, and herbal teas
One must eat the above-mentioned food items rather than eating too much of junk food. If you want to read more about this topic, check problems of eating junk food. This will help you in increasing productivity levels as well. This is because our productivity is not a result of the work that we do. Instead, it also depends on other factors like healthy sleep, healthy food, etc. So, what are you waiting for? Next time, when you think of ordering junk food, order healthy food.
Written By - Vaibhav Sharma
Edited By - Kashish Chadha
Social