Fast food - It's fast. It tastes good. And so convenient. In fact, according to the CDC, so many Americans love it that about 1 in 3 adults consume it on a given day. So, it's probably good to know what fast food does to our bodies.
Several studies have shown that the higher intake of fast foods compared to whole, fresh foods, the higher the chance of obesity and diabetes, which in turn can increase the chance of an early death. Why is that? Well, most fast foods are processed and contain large amounts of sodium, sugar, fats, and carbs, while not providing much nutrition. This, in turn, can lead to all sorts of bad health problems. Let's take a look at 10 of them.
Since fast foods contain so much sodium, such as MSG, baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), sodium benzoate (flavoring/preserving), etc. According to several studies, it is suggested that adults should consum e no more than 2,300 milligrams of sodium a day. However, one fast food meal can contain more 2,300 milligrams. When there is an excess amount of sodium in your body, it can cause your body to retain water, thus causing bloating & puffiness.
Since large fast food meal portions are high in fats, delivering large doses of calories, most people are hit with what is called the "food coma" - feeling super full and sleepy. Not a good idea when you're at the office and have a lot of tasks to finish.
Fast foods that are high in saturated fats, such as milkshakes & fries, can negatively impact the heart as well the brain function & memory. Studies have shown that the higher your intake of these saturated fats can slowly impede your memory speed as well as your memory of what you intend to do (prospective memory).
Aside from gaining some belly fat, consumer large amounts of calories can possibly increase your chances of obesity, which can in turn increase your risk for developing other chronic diseases. Those who frequently eat fast foods may have a higher BMI than those who don't eat it often. Research has shown that this in turn can contribute to weight gain.
Although fast food taste delicious and may look healthy, the fact is most have low nutritional content. If you continue to eat fast food on a regular basis, you are essentially starving your body of the essential nutrients it needs to thrive healthily. These foods can make you feel full temporarily, however you won't stay full for long. This, in turn, can start a vicious ongoing cycle of filling your body with more non-nutritional snacks that won't keep your body truly satisfied for long.
Some studies have shown that eating fast food can cause a higher rate of depression. It's not just one single ingredient's fault either. Unhealthy fats, preservatives, refined carbohydrates can create an imbalance in your brain, which can prevent you from functioning at your optimum mental capacity. It also cause anxiety due to the lack of omega 3 fatty acids in fast foods. In addition, it may also cause hyperactivity, a "sugar rush" feel that can make you feel jittery or irritable.
You just can't have your meal without some fizz to wash it all down. However, drinking too much soda on a regular basis can do some serious damage to your oral health. Drinking large amounts of soda or even fast food desserts such as milk shakes or ice cream, can cause tooth decay and cavities.
