Why Fast Food is Bad?

Fast food is known to be high in fats, salt, and sugar, which make them taste good. But what about the health risks? A study showed that 86.5% of adults in Jeddah city consume fast food. Consuming fast foods, like fried, fatty, sugary, and salty foods can affect the overall health in the short and long term.

Because fast food is low in fiber it can cause constipation; this is because fiber feeds the micro biota, which keeps our digestive system healthy. So the lack of fiber in our digestive system can harm our healthy gut bacteria.

The high sugar content in fast food can lead to obesity by increasing the body fat cells. Obesity increases the risk for other metabolic diseases, such as insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. And also too much sugar can worsen skin issues, like acne and eczema.

Consuming high fat foods can increase the blood cholesterol levels especially the LDL (bad) cholesterol, which can then block the arteries leading to stroke and heart diseases. High salt intake can also lead to heart diseases by increasing the blood pressure.

Fast food not only affects our physical health, but it can also affect our moods. A study was conducted in Saudi Arabia showed that 42% of the children who consumed two fast food meals per week had mood swings and violent behaviors. There is a direct link between what we eat and how we think; this is because food can affect the chemicals in our brains. People who eat fast food have a 51% chance of developing depression.

You have the choice whether to cause yourself or save yourself from getting one of the chronic diseases. Try cooking your food at home instead of reaching out for unhealthy fast foods.

Sources:

Natalie Butler, L. (2019). How fast food affects the body. [online] Medical News Today.

Bahadoran, Z., Mirmiran, P. and Azizi, F. (2015). Fast Food Pattern and Cardiometabolic Disorders: A Review of Current Studies. Health Promotion Perspectives, 5(4), pp.231-240.

Ahmad, Bashaier, et al. Effect of Fatty Food on Mood of Children in Saudi Arabia. Oct. 2015.

‌Sánchez-Villegas, Almudena, et al. “Fast-Food and Commercial Baked Goods Consumption and the Risk of Depression.” Public Health Nutrition, vol. 15, no. 03, 11 Aug. 2011, pp. 424–432.

‌Mandoura, N., Al-Raddadi, R., Abdulrashid, O., Shah, H.B.U., Kassar, S.M., Adel Hawari, A.R. and Jahhaf, J.M. (2017). Factors Associated with Consuming Junk Food among Saudi Adults in Jeddah City. Cureus.

Healthline. (2018). 13 Effects of Fast Food on the Body. [online] Available at: https://www.healthline.com/health/fast-food-effects-on-body.