Junk food is a slang term for food that is rich in fat, sugar, salt, and calories, but with little protein, vitamins or minerals. Therefore, this food is of little nutritional value. Salted snack foods, sweet desserts, gum, candy, fried fast food, and soda are the examples of junk food. These foods are tempting because they are widely available, convenient and cheap. For example, in the United States only $165 billion was spent on it in 2010 (“10 States That Consume Too Much Fast Food”). Another research shows that in recent decades consumption of junk food has increased dramatically, and it makes 25 percent of the calories Americans consume (Collins). Unfortunately, this love results in a variety of health problems.
The most obvious effect of excessive junk food consumption is obesity. This happens because junk food, fast food in particular, is rich in bad fats.” A 1/4-pound bacon cheeseburger from one fast-food chain contains 29 grams of total fat, 13 grams of saturated fat and 1.5 grams of trans fat. A side of large fries adds another 22 grams of fat, including 4 grams of saturated fat” (McNight). Thus we consume empty calories, because these foods not only provide no nutritional value but are converted to fat. Moreover, a new study in rats suggests that delicious, but high-fat high-calorie foods may be addictive. This research demonstrates that rats consuming these foods in great amounts develop compulsive eating habits that resemble drug addiction. According to Paul J. Kenny, Ph.D., an associate professor of molecular therapeutics at the Scripps Research Institute, in Jupiter, Florida, eating too much junk food overloads pleasure centers in the brain, and achieving the same pleasure, or just feeling normal, requires increasing quantities of food (Klein). This leads to overeating and gaining weight. Another study, commissioned by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, followed young adults who ate fast food over a period of 15 years. The results show that participants who ate fast food more than two times each week gained 10 more pounds than those who ate fast food less than one time a week (Therien). Obesity does not only lead to low well-being, but is also a risk of developing various diseases.
The second effect caused by junk food consumption, and often accompanied by obesity, is diseases of different organs and systems. Saturated and trans fats, for example, can raise blood cholesterol, which reduces the elasticity of arteries, builds up fatty plaque in artery walls and causes atherosclerosis. Consuming just 5g of trans fat a day raises risk of heart attack by 25 per cent (Conetta). But trans fats are more dangerous, when combined with sodium. According to Harvard Health Publications, sodium contributes to high blood pressure and heart, liver and kidney diseases. “The average American eats 5 to 10 times more salt than the 2,300 milligrams per day recommended by the U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans” (Roizman). The American Heart Association states that in 2010 36.9 percent of Americans had heart disease and this number may climb to 40.5 percent by the year 2030 (Therien).In addition, some studies have shown that calcium competes with sodium. This results in bone demineralization and leads to osteoporosis and bone fractures.
Another harmful component of junk food is sugar. A large chocolate milkshake from one fast-food chain contains 120 grams of sugar (McNight). Consuming such great amounts of sugar may weaken immune system, leaving it vulnerable to viruses and bacteria that cause illness. In addition to this, processed sugars elevate insulin levels, and if we consume too much sugar throughout the day, insulin levels are chronically high and our cells begin to ignore this important hormone, resulting in type 2 diabetes. “Since the 1980s, type 2 diabetes, which was minimal in teenagers, has risen to 15 percent” (Roizman).
Among other diseases caused or worsened by eating junk foods are cancer and allergies. It is estimated that diet-related diseases are responsible for 35 million deaths worldwide (Malhotra), but, unfortunately, people are reluctant to change their eating habits.
The third problem caused by eating junk foods is nutrient deficiencies. Processed foods are the sources of empty calories as vitamins, minerals and fiber are destroyed while food is being prepared. Children and adults who eat a lot of junk foods may develop nutritional deficiencies. According to the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension, that leads to low energy, poor academic achievement, mood swings, and sleep disturbance (Roizman).
The fourth problem caused by consuming junk foods is depression. This link was found by two separate studies conducted in Spain and the United Kingdom. At the beginning of six-year study, conducted by the Spanish University of Las Palmas de Gran, none of 12,000 volunteers has been diagnosed with depression. By the end, 657 people became new sufferers. According to the British study, conducted by University College London, participants with a diet high in processed foods and fats were at a 58 percent higher risk of depression (Smallwood).
In conclusion I would like to say that junk food is gaining popularity nowadays because it is tasty, cheap and always available. Unfortunately, we do not always think what we consume until we have serious health problems, which worsen our lives and can even lead to death. We should be more attentive to ourselves and look after our health because our future depends on our choice.
Works Cited
“10 States That Consume Too Much Fast Food.” Health. n.p., n.d. Web. 19 March 2014.
Collins, Karen. “Junk Food Makes Quarter of U.S. Diet.” NBCNEWS. n.p., 16 Jul. 2004. Web. 18 March 2014
Conetta, Olivia. “Health Risks of Junk Food.” Citelighter. n.p., n.d. Web. 19 March 2014.
Klein, Sarah. “Fatty Foods May Cause Cocaine-like Addiction.” CNN Health. n.p., 30 March 2010. Web. 20 March 2014.
Malhotra, Aseem. “We Must Demonise Junk Food for the Sake of Our Children.” The Observer. n.p., 14 April 2012. Web. 19 March 2014.
McNight, Clay. “Reasons Fast Food Is Bad for Kids.” Livestrong. n.p., 21 Oct. 2013. Web. 18 March 2014.
.Roizman, Tracey. “Reasons Eating Junk Food is Not Good.” SFGate. n.p., n.d. Web. 21 March 2014.
Smallwood, Alex. “Fast Food Causes Depression, Studies Say.” The Bottom Line. n.p. 26 May 2011. Web. 19 March 2014.
Therien, Sharon. “Statistics of Health Risks from Eating Fast Food.” Livestrong. n.p., 21 Oct. 2013. Web. 19 March 2014.
