Food is fuel for your body. It has a direct impact on how you feel as well as on your overall health.
It is saddening that in developing countries we care less about what we eat. Even when we show little concern (in the name of I want to show that I have small change) what we resort to is junks, which has lesser benefit and more harm for our body. Most times we do think eating good food cost much but when we consider it relatively to eating junks, it is inexpensive and eating junks take much out of us and offer less to our body.
The benefits of good food are
More Energy
The availability of energy for the human body is highly dependent on the intake of energy giving foods such as carbohydrates and fats and oils.
High Mental Ability
Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids which are present in foods such as fish, nuts, seeds and avocados is essential for high mental ability.
Strong Immune System
A strong immune system is important, not only for staying free of disease. A balanced diet will help build the immune system and reduce risk of contacting disease.
Attractive Physique
Foods that are high in fiber, such as fruits and vegetables will make you consume fewer calories but more nutrients, which cuts your body’s fat storage opportunities and make you to be in great shape.
Most junks contain high amount of finely processed salt which increases secretion of enzymes that enhance your cravings for these foods. Not all that glitters is gold, that can also be said of junks as they pose some of the following harmful effects to consumer’s body.
Risk of Type 2 diabetes
Junk food is high in refined sugar which exerts stress on your metabolism. Since junk food lacks fibre content, its consumption directly results in a spike in sugar levels and increases risk of type 2 diabetes.
Digestive problems
Fatty junks lead to digestive problems such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) because it is deep fried. Lack of fibre in them hampers digestion, increasing problems like constipation and hemorrhoids.
Fatigue and Weakness
Although it makes you feel full and satisfied, it fails to provide you with instant energy, making you feel weak and tired after a while.
Teenage Depression
A lot of hormonal changes occur in teenagers, which leads to mood swings and behavioural changes. Junk foods lack essential nutrients and increase likelihood of teenage depression by 58%.
Affects the brain function
A study published in the journal Brain, Behavior, and Immunity shows that one week of eating junk food is enough to trigger memory impairment in rats. It’ll have similar effects in man.
Risk of heart disease
Junk food items are loaded with saturated fats and trans fats that directly increase triglyceride and bad cholesterol (LDL) levels in the blood, contributing to plaque formation and heart disease.
Risk of liver and kidney diseases
High amount of bad fats and sodium from salt disrupts the sodium-potassium balance of the body and causes hypertension. Junk food consumption over a period of time can have similar harmful effect on the liver as alcohol consumptions does.
Increased risk of cancer
Lack of fibre is the main reason why junk food consumption is linked to an increased risk of cancers of the digestive system.
Also take note that junk foods are addictive because refined sugar causes the pancreas to secrete more amount of insulin in order to prevent a drastic spike in your blood sugar levels. Because junk food lacks sufficient levels of good carbohydrates and proteins, the levels of blood sugar drop suddenly after you eat. This makes you feel irritable and further increases you craving for more junk food.
Note: This post first appeared on www.eyesoflagos.com
