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Fast Food or Fast Death

Bad Impacts on Humans

By Ha Le SaPublished 11 days ago 3 min read
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Fast Food or Fast Death
Photo by Jonathan Borba on Unsplash

Fast food is a category of food that is made and served rapidly, repeatedly at chain eateries or places where you can get takeaway. Over the past few decades, fast food has gained popularity as a dietary choice. Fast food restaurants alone in the United States bring in billions of dollars every year. Fast food has a reputation for being quick and accessible, but it also comes with several drawbacks because the ingredients are usually heavy in calories, fat, sugar, and salt. Below are several negative impacts of fast foods on your health:

Obesity

Fast food's role in obesity is one of its major drawbacks. Fast food usually has high calorie, sugar, fat, and salt content. Regular eating of fast food can result in obesity, and these ingredients are known to increase weight gain. More than 42% of adults in the United States are obese, and this percentage is predicted to keep rising, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Cardiovascular diseases

A major factor in elevating cardiovascular diseases is eating fast food. Fast food has high fat and salt content, which can cause high blood pressure and raise the risk of heart disease and stroke. Fast food consumption regularly has been linked in studies to an increase in bad cholesterol and a decrease in good cholesterol, which can result in the onset of cardiovascular disease.

Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes and fast food consumption are both related. Insulin resistance, which can result in type 2 diabetes, can be brought on by the high sugar and fat content of fast food. According to studies, persons who routinely eat fast food have a higher risk of getting type 2 diabetes than those who eat a balanced diet.

Digestive problems

Fast food often contains a lot of fat, which can cause gastrointestinal issues like bloating, constipation, and diarrhea. Fast food meals frequently lack fibre, which is necessary for a healthy digestive system. The equilibrium of bacteria in the gut can be upset by eating too much fast food, which can cause a variety of digestive problems.

Cancer

Additionally, eating fast food raises your risk of developing cancer. Fast food's high quantities of fat, sugar, and salt can cause inflammation, which can aid in the growth of cancer. According to studies, those who frequently eat fast food are at an increased risk of colon, breast, and prostate cancer.

Malnutritional

Typically, fast food has little nutritional value. The majority of fast food items are rich in calories but lacking in fiber, vitamins, and other vital nutrients. Malnutrition and a lack of vital nutrients may result from this. Fast food is also frequently heavy in saturated and trans fats, which can harm health.

Mental health problems:

Additionally, eating fast food might be detrimental to one's mental health. Fast food consumers are more prone to exhibit signs of sadness, anxiety, and other mental health problems, according to studies. This might be a result of the high levels of salt, sugar, and fat in fast food, which can alter hormones and brain chemistry.

Environmental impact:

Additionally, fast food has a big effect on the environment. Fast food production and distribution contribute to deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions. Fast food packaging and waste can also exacerbate problems with waste management and pollution.

For many people, fast food is an accessible and cost-effective option. But it is critical to be aware of the pros and cons of fast food and how it may affect our health. Many detrimental health effects, such as weight gain, vitamin deficiencies, addiction, ill mental health, digestive issues, and insulin resistance, can be brought on by eating a lot of fast food. We may enhance our general health and well-being by choosing better foods and reducing the quantity of fast food we eat.

Disclaimer: The story has already been published on other platforms.

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Ha Le Sa

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