Harmful effects of junk food consumption

What is Junk food?

Foods that lack essential nutrients and minerals and are high in Kcal, fats, salt, and sugar are referred as junk food. Also known as discretionary food or optional food, this food doesn’t play a role in healthy eating, especially if it's eaten to excess.

Why should you avoid junk food?

The nutritive value in junk food is very low or negligible. Long term consumption of junk food makes an individual prone to various life-threatening consequences and other health related complications. Here are few reasons you should avoid or lay off highly processed junk foods.

1. Leads to obesity

Leads to obesity or increases the risk of being obese which is the root cause of many diseases, such as diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, and many more.

2. Digestive problems

Eating too much of junk food leads the brain into a state of confusion. It also increases the blood sugar levels which worsen the condition further and eventually makes an individual feel the need to eat more food leading to indigestion.

3. Loss of Nutrition

Junk food doesn’t have any nutritional properties which the body requires to keep itself healthy. It does not provide essential vitamins and minerals and hence causes loss of nutrition. Eating too much of junk food can cause lower energy levels, feeling fatigue, and also put metabolism under stress.

4. May lead to depression

High consumption of junk food leads to the loss of amino acids and nutrients that are essential for our health. The high amount of sugar and fat in junk food may cause some chemical reactions in the brain that ultimately affect its normal functioning, resulting in inability to cope up with stress that can start making you feel depressed.

5. Affects heart health

Extra fat acquired by the body during the consumption of junk food leads to fat deposition in the arteries. As a result, the heart pumps blood with more pressure, putting more effort. If the heart exerts on a longer-term, it may result in myocardial infarction, heart attack and other cardiovascular diseases.

6. Negative effect on the respiratory system

Excess calories from fast food meals can cause weight gain which can increase your risk of developing respiratory problems, including asthma and shortness of breath. The extra pounds can put pressure on your heart and lungs, and symptoms may show up even with little exertion. You may notice difficulty breathing when you’re walking, climbing stairs, or exercising.

7. Kidney damage

Consuming junk food for a long time can cause kidney diseases because the high amount of bad fats and sodium (salt) content in food increases blood pressure and affects kidney function.

8. Affects tooth & oral health

The junk food that is consumed dreadfully affects the enamel of the teeth in the long run. They promote growth of bacteria and plague build-up which leads to gum problems and bad breath.

Examples of junk food include

● cakes and biscuits

● fast foods (such as hot chips, burgers and pizzas)

● chocolate and sweets

● processed meat (such as bacon)

● snacks (such as chips)

• sugary drinks (such as sports, energy and soft drinks)

• alcoholic drinks