10 Serious Side Effects of Eating Fast Food
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Fast food may be tasty and convenient, but it’s also full of unhealthy fats, carbohydrates, and sodium. In fact, the majority of fast food offers little to no nutritional value for your body whatsoever. It does, however, contribute to a barrage of nasty side effects. Let’s talk more about the serious side effects of eating fast food.
1. Obesity
Eating fast food regularly increases your chances of becoming obese. Fast food is high in sugar, fat, sodium, and calories, so consuming it too often will lead to an increase in weight. Obesity can cause all kinds of health issues, like joint damage, diabetes, and heart disease, even in kids.
2. Diabetes
Fast food is full of carbohydrates and very little fiber, so eating fast food can cause your blood sugar to rise very quickly. Eating it too often can cause your body to stop producing the insulin that it needs leading to type 2 diabetes.
3. High Blood Pressure
Fast food is high in sodium which is known to cause an increase in your blood pressure. Over time, high blood pressure can cause narrowed blood vessels which is a big risk factor for heart attacks, strokes, and heart failure.
Even occasional fast food puts your heart at risk because even a single burger and fries combo or fried chicken meal contains more than the daily allowable recommendation for sodium.
4. Increased Cholesterol
Most fast food is fried, and that means that it is high in fat and cholesterol. Too much saturated fat, like the kind you find in fast food, will drive up your “bad” or LDL cholesterol. High cholesterol also increases your risk for heart disease.
5. Bloating
Fried foods and carbohydrates which are staples in the fast food world, are notorious for causing bloating and gas. While this is a temporary side effect of eating foods that aren’t good for you, it can leave you feeling quite uncomfortable.
6. Cavities
People who consume a large amount of fast food, particularly sugary sodas, and milkshakes are much more likely to have cavities than people who eat healthier. Sugary sodas can stain your teeth, and some of the sugar stays stuck to your teeth even after brushing which can lead to tooth decay.
7. Depression
Did you know that people who eat a lot of fast food are more prone to depression than those who eat healthier meals? The more fast food and unhealthy food consumed, the higher the risk of depression becomes.
8. Migraines
If you are prone to migraines, eating fast food can certainly cause you to have one. Monosodium glutamate, or MSG, is a staple of Chinese food, but it’s also abundant in fast food. If you have a migraine after grabbing fast food, MSG might be the reason.
9. Sugar Addiction
Did you know that there is sugar hidden in most fast food? Not just in the shakes and soda, either. There is sugar in the fries, burgers, and chicken strips too! When you eat fast food too often, your body actually becomes addicted to the sugar that it contains.
10. Blemished Skin
Not only does fast food do a number on your health, it’s also not good for your skin. Greasy, sugary foods can lead to oily skin and break out of acne, and blackheads. If clear skin is your goal, then healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, and water should make up the largest portion of your diet.
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This article first appeared on The Gracious Pantry.
I'm Tiffany, a writer for MSN and the AP Newswire, a cookbook author, digital publisher, food lover, and mom. I create healthy, clean eating recipes for everyday living.
