Harmful Effects of Junk Food on the Human Body

Grabbing a quick snack as a breakfast at any fast food joint on the way to the office is the new trend. Healthy homemade dishes are gradually getting replaced by junk foods.

A notable concern here is if this trend is good for our health.

If you are wondering what the effects of eating junk food are, you are at the right place.

Keep reading to know in detail about the harmful effects of junk food.

Junk food generally refers to eatables that contribute to immense calories but are of very little nutritional value. These are processed foods, often high in salt, fat, and sugar. Due to this, they are also known as HFSS (high in fat, salt and sugar) food.

These food recipes are tasty and appealing, but too much intake of junk food items can impact one’s health drastically.

Here is a detailed discourse on the harmful effects of junk food.

Following is a list of 10 side effects of junk food. Have a look!

1. Causes Obesity

This is one of the most common effects of junk food. Junk foods are full of calories, sugars and fats that are the main reasons for gaining weight. Further, obesity leads to various issues like joint pain, diabetes and various heart ailments. So, it is important to cut down on the intake of excess fast foods.

2. Induces Learning and Memory Problems

If you take foods loaded with sugar and fat, it may suppress the function of the brain that helps in learning. This issue with junk food further has the backing of a research study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

As per the study, consumption of excessive junk food caused poor cognitive test results. The hippocampus region of our brain is responsible for learning and memory. Due to an intake of foods loaded with sugars, a sudden inflammation occurs in the hippocampus region. This is one of the harmful effects of junk food.

3. Impacts the Respiratory System

Fast food meals are always high on calories. Now, calories lead to weight gain and obesity. Obesity will give rise to respiratory problems like shortness of breath and asthma. This can also put pressure on the lungs and heart. It is extremely difficult to breathe while walking, doing exercises, and climbing in such a situation.

4. Affects Children's Health

Junk food items are adverse towards a child’s health. Children are more prone to such risk of respiratory issues. As per a study, children having fast food for at least 3 times a week are more likely to suffer from asthma.

5. Ill Effects on Skin

Previously, pizza and chocolate have taken the entire blame for acne. However, carbs are behind such skin issues. Food items high in carbs will cause blood sugar spikes, which in turn may cause acne.

According to a study, adolescents and children having fast food three times or more in a week can develop eczema. Eczema is a skin disease causing irritated patches of inflamed skin.

6. Harmful Effects on Central Nervous System

As per recent research and study, people who have processed pastries and fast food are 51% more likely to develop depression than those not having such foods or consuming a few of them. Fast food is of negligible health benefits. In the short run, it may satisfy hunger, but results are less favourable in the long run.

7. May Impact Reproductive System

The ingredients present in fast food will create an impact on a woman’s fertility. As per a recent study, processed food has phthalates.

Now, what are phthalates?

These are chemicals that may disrupt a body’s hormonal activity. Exposure to such high levels of chemicals may cause various reproductive problems, which includes congenital disabilities.

8. Side Effects on Skeletal System

Fast food contains huge volumes of carbs that may increase acids in your mouth. Such acids may remove tooth enamel. With the disappearance of tooth enamel, bacteria may develop, leading to formation of cavities.

Intake of carbs may lead to obesity, which in return may impact muscle mass and bone density. Thus, obese people are prone to breaking bones. Consuming food items with optimum levels of carbs along with exercise can strengthen bones.

9. Kills Appetite

One may feel good about junk food as it fills the stomach for long hours. However, there is a catch! These eatables are rich in carbs, which may affect your appetite negatively. You may lose your appetite subsequently. Thus, losing appetite is one of the harmful effects of junk foods.

10. Causes Digestive Problems

Overeating is one of the serious ill effects of fast food. People may end up eating more than what is required due to the fluctuating levels of blood sugar. It makes the brain demand more quantity of food than what is needed. Subsequently, there are various problems with indigestion, which adds up to the ill effects of the consumption of junk food.

Essential nutrients are key to healthy growth and development. Now, junk food lacks basic nutrition too. Such unhealthy habits and insufficient levels of nutrition will affect the development of the brain and various other parts of the body. As a result, nutritionists do not favour intake of processed foods in excess due to their ill effects on a body’s growth and development.

These are the 10 harmful effects of junk food. So, eat healthily and responsibly for a fitter you!