When was the last time you grabbed a hamburger or a sandwich from your nearest fast food joint? Was it two days back, yesterday evening or today morning? Most people would not go back two days to answer the question. Does it signify anything?
Today, the fast food industry has turned into a multi-billion dollar global mammoth with countless fast-food chains opening hundreds of outlets in the world every year.
Fast-foods, also known as "junk food" by proponents of healthy eating, are nutritionally deficient foods which only cater to our senses of sight, smell and taste. They are rich in fats (mostly, low quality; also trans fats), refined sugars, refined flours and chemical additives (like preservatives, improvers, flavor enhancers and God-knows-what-else!).The health hazards related to fast-foods are inherently connected to either or all of these and also to the absence of other nutritious substances.
Did You Know? Hamburgers were earlier sold at humble kiosks at fairs, circuses and lunch counters. People at the time thought that they were of low quality and were made with scraps of meat from slaughterhouses.
What is Fast food?
Food prepared and served quickly like pizzas, potato fries, kebabs, fried chicken, burgers, to name a few.
|
Obesity(doesn't need a genius to figure that out!) - To be obese means to have really high amounts of fats in the body. Fats are amazing chemical entities which store exceptionally high amounts of energy in them. Excess carbohydrates and dietary fats are converted and stored by our body as fats. Fast-foods give you more calories and carbohydrates than is required leading to obesity. Obesity is related to many different health problems, including cardiac problems.
Did You Know?
Hamburgers were earlier sold at humble kiosks at fairs, circuses and lunch counters. People at the time thought that they were of low quality and were made with scraps of meat from slaughterhouses.
|
Heart Diseases - Saturated fats and trans fats in the fast-foods clog arteries and give rise to heart diseases.
Food for Thought:
Fast food is known to be appealing to the younger generation. In India nearly 65% of the population is below 35 years of age.
|
Cancer - Risks of colorectal and prostate cancers increase in people consuming too much fast-food, according to a study published in the European Journal of Cancer Prevention and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Centre.
Stomach ulcers - Ulcers are inflamed parts of the inner mucosal lining of the body. Peptic ulcers occur in the gastro-intestinal tract, usually the stomach. They are extremely painful and are caused by excessive salty and spicy foods.
Stress - The chemical additives in the fast-foods act as “sympathomimetics.” This means that they mimic the action of certain drugs (natural and synthetic) in increasing the activity of the heart, thereby increasing blood pressure. This creates "physiological stress" in the body.
Diabetes - High sugar content and easily-available carbohydrates (in refined, white flours) in the fast-foods pressurize the pancreas to produce high amounts of insulin to balance the blood-glucose levels. This constant pressure on the pancreas may eventually hamper its normal ability to produce insulin and lead to Type 2 Diabetes.
Negligible amounts of dietary fibers in fast-foods can create digestive problems like constipation. Also the lack of proteins and complex carbohydrates may lead to chronic fatigue. Although fast-foods are extremely convenient and cheap, there health hazards more than offset their supposed benefits. A balanced diet which provides all the necessary nutrients to the body along with a disciplined exercise and life style regimen is the only key to everlasting peace of body and mind. There are no "fast" shortcuts to wellness.
Disclaimer: Insurance Awareness initiative. ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company Limited, ICICI Lombard House, 414, Veer Savarkar Marg, Prabhadevi, Mumbai - 400025. IRDA Reg. No. 115. Toll Free 1800 2666 Fax no - 022 61961323. Email us at customersupport@icicilombard.com Visit www.icicilombard.com CIN: (U67200MH2000PLC129408). EC014AA1833IA
|
Home
