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In case you’ve wondered about the difference between whole food items from processed and refined ones There are several important indicators: sugar, fiber salt, preservatives and sugar. Whole foods are made up of naturally occurring in dietary fibers, and do not contain preservatives or sugar added. Foods that are refined, on the other hand, have the natural fibers removed in the process and the fiber is replaced by salt, sugar and preservatives. Foods that are contaminated with chemicals can be harmful to your health.
The majority of people would agree that foods with high levels of processed ingredients are among the worst food items we can consume. They are aware that it causes body weight gain and mood swings (both upwards and downwards) and have been designed to become extremely addictive.
Let’s take a look at five other research-based ways that junk food is harmful to your waistline and health.
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Junk Food Doesn’t Satisfy Hunger
Junk food is not even food. It’s nutritional value is low. This kind of food even when consumed in large quantities can make you “feel” full, but it won’t fill your appetite. It can increase your appetite, rather than aid in reducing it.
Why? because it’s lacking in nutrients and fiber to sustain the hormones that satisfy hunger within your body. The body makes hormones such as ghrelin, to signal to the body that it is satisfied and satisfied. Foods that are healthy naturally stimulate this hormone, and will keep you feeling full and satisfied.
Foods that are unhealthy simply supply you with calories, but don’t fill you up.
Regular consumption of junk food can cause your body to expect the same foods. If you don’t eat the cravings, you’ll start feeling. You’ll soon be looking at the door to your pantry or in the fridge in search of an item to eat or snack filled with salts or sugars in processed foods.
What causes this? Food that isn’t satisfying and can cause fluctuations in your blood sugar levels, which create feelings of hunger.
Junk Food is High in Sodium and Sugar
It’s not just a lack of fiber which makes junk food unhealthy for you. It’s also awash in sugar and sodium. Additionally junk food is produced with a variety of artificial ingredients like preservation chemicals and hydrogenated fats to ensure it stays in the shelves of stores for months, weeks or even for years.
Why is this important?
It’s true that the amount of sodium you consume matters quite a bit. About 10 percent of the population is sensitive to sodium, meaning that consuming excess salty foods can result in a rise of blood pressure. This rise in blood pressure particularly for a long time, can result in an increase in the chance of developing heart disease.
In addition, the consumption of large quantities of salt increase the likelihood of developing small hemorrhages within the brain, also known as micro-hemorrhages even in those who have regular blood pressure.
Then, why do we need to be concerned about the excessive amount of sugar? Sugar is a complex medical issue. A prolonged period of elevated sugar levels can result in an increase in the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, as well as an increased chance of developing obesity. There is a direct connection between diabetes and obesity and that link leads towards highly processed food filled with sugar.
These risks, by themselves ought to be reason enough to convince everyone to stay away from food items that aren’t healthy.
Sugar and sodium are typically essential to a healthy lifestyle. However, the amount in junk food is excessive. Moderation is the key to success and it is difficult to find in these kinds of food items.
Eating Junk Makes It Harder to Control Your Weight
Junk food is loaded with sugar, salt, fat and calories, but despite the calories it isn’t very nutritious. It’s a poor supply of protein as well as important amino acids and soluble fiber minerals, vitamins, and calcium minerals. Although snacks can give some energy however, you’ll likely feel a crash due to the deficiency of nutrients your body requires and wants.
The sugar content of junk food triggers blood sugar fluctuations and also increases insulin levels. In the long run, elevated levels of insulin in your body will cause an increase in hunger and can lead to weight growth. The craving for sugar (and salt cravings) will always occur when insulin levels fall. What are the most common actions people take when they are faced by these cravings? They go to the store for food to satisfy their immediate craving. A study conducted by National Institutes of Health found that those who ate the ultra-processed junk food diet consumed around 500 calories more per day than people who ate a diet consisting of mostly whole food.
Furthermore the high sodium content results in fluid retention which can cause weight growth. While this isn’t a cause for fat gain, it’s not advisable to carry extra weight.
Foods that are healthy are the best snack to have for those who want to be able to getting your body weight in check and eventually weight loss.
Ultra-Processed Foods Contain Emulsifiers That Aren’t Good for Gut Health
Ultra-processed food is loaded by emulsifiers from food manufacturers to help stabilize the junk food items. Yes, you read that right. To keep the food from becoming too messy or unpalatable the food is seasoned with substances known as emulsifiers. Are you aware of what an emulsifier can do? The most common principle, which we teach our babies when they begin to become mobile is to never put anything in their mouths that are not food. This includes chemical compounds, which are known as emulsifiers.
Researchers are now convinced that emulsifiers and other ingredients in junk foods could affect the gut microbiome. The body requires a balanced microbiome in order to be healthy. The gut microbiome is the heart of your immune system as 70 percent the immune system is in the gut microbiome.
It’s therefore not an exaggeration to suggest that junk food may increase the likelihood of developing health issues through changes to the microbiome of your gut.
Contrary to that the whole plant-based foods provide a wealth of fiber which can help maintain good gut microflora. Your body really needs natural fiber as its fuel.
Junk Food can be harmful to your health through causing inflammation
If you indulge in the wrong food (or snack), your body experience an increase of inflammation. It’s a matter of concern since inflammation is a major cause of chronic health issues and is an important factor in various diseases, including the autoimmune diseases, cardiovascular disease such as insulin resistance, certain kinds of cancer.
Are you able to avoid all these illnesses by avoiding snacks? It’s unlikely due to our health being so complex, but establishing healthy habits around eating nutritious food can go a long way to ensure that you have a good chance of surviving.
Low levels of antioxidants as well as minerals, vitamins and essential nutrients as well as other essential components create a toxic environment. Consuming food that is of no nutritional value and has a large amount of negative side-effects which include but aren’t restricted to, increased inflammation.
Contrast this with a complete diet that is rich in seeds and olive oil extra virgin and fruits as well as fish, vegetables beans, as well as other food items that are real additional anti-inflammatory properties.
The Bottom Line – Junk Food Harms Your Health
We all love delicious junk food from time to time. Everyone has cravings for snack foods.
Be cautious when you eat a lot of junk food, as it has devastating negative impacts on your health. The high levels of sodium, salt sugar and artificial ingredients as well as the deficiency of fiber harm your health.
Take a bite of a doughnut, or a bowl of French fries every once in a time, but don’t make them the mainstay of your meals. Take a time out and eat the more nutritious, natural foods that are high in fiber for better well-being.
