The Popularity Of Fast Food
Going to your favorite fast food restaurant or going through a drive-thru happens more often. The Food Institute’s analysis of data claims that millennials spend 45 percent of their budget on dining out at a restaurant, and in comparison, half of the food budget is spent on restaurant foods.
Many people opt to eat fast food not only for its sometimes addicting taste, but for the convenience it offers, as well. In fact, the availability of quick food has skyrocketed in recent decades, leading to the expectation that a meal can take only a few minutes out of the day, leaving more time for work and other activities. — John Smith Ph.D.
Eating out in fast foods has many effects on the health of an individual; continue to read below.
Effect On The Digestive And Cardiovascular Systems
Fast foods, drinks, and sides are full of carbohydrates and often have little to no fiber. These carbohydrates are released as glucose or sugar to the bloodstream when being digested. This makes the blood sugar increase. The pancreas, in response to the surge of glucose, will release insulin. The insulin transports the sugar to the body cells, and these body cells will convert this sugar to energy. The blood sugar will return to normal when the body uses and stores the sugar.
The body can handle sugar spikes as long as it is healthy, the blood sugar process can be regulated. But intake of high amounts of carbs often leads to repeated spikes of sugar. Over time, it can cause the standard insulin response to faltering. There will be a risk of insulin resistance and can further lead to type 2 diabetes and weight gain.
Sugar And Fat
Fast food meals have added sugar, extra calories, and little nutrition. It is suggested by the American Heart Association (AHA) to have a daily intake of 100 to 150 calories or six to nine teaspoons of calories. Fast food 12 ounces drinks of soda have eight teaspoons of sugar equalling to 140 calories, and 39 grams of sugar.
Food processing also creates a manufactured fat or “trans fat,” and it is found in pizza dough, fried pies, pastries, and crackers. Trans fat is not healthy as it can elevate LDL or bad cholesterol, lower the HDL or good cholesterol, and increases the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
Recent experiments have shown that sugar offers the hallmarks of addiction—bingeing, withdrawal, and craving. — Joshua Gowin Ph.D.
Sodium
Some people prefer tastier foods, but the more delicious foods have a combination of sugar, fat and lots of salt. Those who take high sodium diets can lead to water retention. This causes the puffy, bloated feeling or feeling swollen after eating fast food.
High sodium diets can be harmful to people with blood pressure conditions as they can increase blood pressure and even put stress on the cardiovascular system. Most adults underestimate sodium levels in their fast food meals. As mentioned too in https://www.familyeducation.com/, out of the surveyed, 993 adults found that their guesses were six times lower than the actual number. 2300 milligrams of sodium is the recommended daily intake for adults, yet one fast food meal is half of this in milligrams.
Effect On The Respiratory System
Excess calories may lead to weight gain and worse to obesity. This condition increases respiratory risk such as asthma and shortness of breath. This can put pressure on the heart and lungs. It can be noticed when there is difficulty in breathing while doing certain activities such as walking, climbing stairs or exercising. Children who are often eating fast food three times per week are likely to develop respiratory problems.
Effect On The Central Nervous System
Often, eating fast food can lead to depression, as it only satisfies hunger in the short term.
While we may burn off some extra calories fidgeting or running around cleaning because we can’t sit still, anxiety can also trigger “emotional eating.” Overeating or eating unhealthy foods in response to stress or as a way to calm down is a very common response. — Melanie Greenberg Ph.D.
Effect On The Reproductive System
Processed foods contain phthalates, a chemical that interrupts fertility hormones. Exposure to these can lead to reproductive problems such as congenital disabilities. Read the study here: https://www.thebump.com/
Effect On The Integumentary System (Skin, Hair, Nails)
Carbohydrate-rich foods can lead to an increase in blood sugar which can affect skin appearance, thus creating acne and eczema. It can also affect hair and nail growth.
Effect On The Skeletal System (Bones)
Carbohydrates and sugar can increase mouth acids which breaks down the tooth enamel. Break down of enamel can develop tooth cavities.