The word 'junk' itself means something that is thrown away without use. Foods that are very high in calories (because of sugar or fat), but have little nutritional value are called 'junk food'. Junk food is attractive because of its ease of eating, portability, more for less, beautiful color, shape and taste.Cola and other advertisements for chips are very influential on children who do not understand the health implications of the diet. Most 'fast foods' can thus be classified as 'junk food'. Fast food meals are made with all sorts of unhealthy ingredients.Research on fast food suggests that some of the factors involved (listed below) make us overeat such foods.
Chewy and low in fiber.
Very good taste.
A lot of calories in a small amount.
It is high in fat.Presence of sugar in liquid form.
Some of the foods that contain high fructose corn syrup are 'condiments' (ie mayonnaise, ketchup, etc.), sodas, fries, desserts, salad dressings, and other bread products.Major disadvantages
'Junk food' never makes us feel full. So, we eat more than we need. Even though the appetite changes, no nutrients reach the body. Consuming such nutrient-poor food continuously can cause us to suffer from lack of appetite or nutritional deficiency.Dietary fiber is essential for a healthy digestive system. Vegetables, fruits and whole grains are the main sources of fiber.Obesity: Junk food is a high energy food because of its high calorie content. Most of these come from fats and sugars. A 2012 study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that people who ate high-energy junk food were less satisfied with their meal and, therefore, ate more.Regular consumption of junk food can lead to overweight and obesity. Natural foods like vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats are low in calories but high in nutrients. For example, according to the data base of the United States Department of Agriculture, 100 grams of baked potatoes contain 93 calories, but French fries found in fast food stores provide 292 calories.Excess calories increase the risk of diabetes.
The body needs some fat. But junk food mainly provides fat which is bad for our health. Ham burgers, pizza, ice cream, and potato chips are high in fat and cholesterol. It can also cause heart disease. Fats increase the risk of heart disease.Processed and packaged foods are often high in salt or 'sodium'. High sodium in the diet increases the risk of high blood pressure and stroke.
A diet high in sugar and fat suppresses the activity of a brain 'peptide' called BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor).This is one that requires high memory. Excess calories are one of the most important factors affecting the proper functioning of synapses in the brain, where electrical signals are transmitted from one nerve cell to another
Many studies show that eating foods high in sugar and fat alters brain chemistry and increases dependence on such foods. A study conducted by the University of Montreal found that rats experienced withdrawal symptoms after stopping junk food.In humans, these withdrawal symptoms can lead to an inability to handle stress, and can even lead to depression. Likewise, eating too much fast food can lead to a lack of essential nutrients such as amino acids and tryptophan, thereby increasing the causes of depression.Excessive exposure: The processed carbohydrates found in fast foods can cause rapid fluctuations in blood sugar levels. If the sugar level is too low, it can cause anxiety, confusion and lethargy. Rather, they tend to eat too quickly or eat a lot of foods high in sugar and fat.
