Junk foods invading homes

Junk foods and take-away restaurants have become extremely popular due to
the rising demand among people nearly everywhere. A quick bite at a low
price is a seductive proposition that’s finger-licking good but
unfortunately comes in a bag with health conditions.

The arrival of convenience foods has led to massive increases in obesity,
diabetes and heart disease. The skyrocketing rates of these
lifestyle-related conditions are among the working middle to upper class.
Supermarkets contribute to these problems by offering shoppers the
temptation of convenience foods that are high in salt, sugar and animal fat.

Junk foods are filled with preservatives, additives, flavourings,
artificial colourings, hydrogenated fats, stabilizers, chemicals,
sweeteners, sodium, sugar and calories that are devoid of any original,
essential nutrients.

There are nearly six thousand chemicals that food companies add to food
products that improve colour, taste and shelf life. Nitrates and nitrites
that are used in meat products such as bacon, sausage and ham have been
found to contribute to the development of many forms of cancer.

Sodas, sugar-laced beverages and highly processed fruit juices contain a
compound called benzoate or benzoic acid. This compound has been found to
increase the risks of obesity, diabetes and a host of conditions leading to
early mortality.

One of the most dangerous flavourings used is monosodium glutamate (MSG).
MSG is a common cause of chest pains, depression, dizziness and mood
swings. The vast majority of pre-packaged foods such as pizzas, pastas,
snacks, soups, sandwiches, cheeses and meats contain high amounts of sodium
that is detrimental to one’s health.

Foods such as fried chicken, pizza, burgers, chips, sandwiches and ice
creams contain excessive amounts of addictive sugars, trans fats and
calories that bring you back for seconds. Most junk foods are deep fried in
unhealthy hydrogenated cooking oils that wreck havoc on one’s immune and
cardiovascular systems.

Highly processed, chemical-laden, ready-to-serve, convenience quick-bites
offer little-to-no actual nutritional value. They simply fill the stomach
temporarily and promote overeating as the body demands useful nutrients.

Research shows junk foods make children miss their daily nutritional
requirements of nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables. This has been found
to be a leading cause of behavioural misconduct, ADHD, poor school
performance and other deficiencies.

Obesity, Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and cancer are growing concerns
that are directly related to the escalating consumption of junk foods. Type
2 diabetes allows excessive amounts of unusable dietary sugars to circulate
around the body creating substantial damage. Diabetic complications include
heart attacks, strokes, high blood pressure, kidney failure and various
pain disorders.

Junk foods decrease the levels of HDL (good) cholesterol and increase LDL
(bad) cholesterol that is a leading cause of clogging of the arteries.
Clogged arteries cause damage to the heart and increases one’s risk of
body-disabling strokes.

Excessive amounts of salt, sugars, unhealthy saturated fat and trans fat
also contribute to high blood pressure. The resultant high blood pressure
is a leading cause of kidney damage and failure. LDL cholesterol, fat, salt
and sugar can cause excessive damage to the liver as well.

The liver is integral to numerous bodily functions and is the major
detoxifying organ in the body. Impaired liver function can cause a variety
of symptoms such as digestive problems, immune disorders, abnormal
absorption of fats and metabolism complications.

Dr Cory Couillard is an international healthcare speaker and columnist for
numerous newspapers, magazines, websites and publications throughout the
world. He works in collaboration with the World Health Organization's goals
of disease prevention and global healthcare education. Views do not
necessarily reflect endorsement.

Email: drcorycouillard@gmail.com

Facebook: Dr Cory Couillard

Twitter: DrCoryCouillard

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