7 Health Risks of Eating Junk Food Frequently

Kapanlagi.com - Present in various attractive and delicious variations, junk food is indeed considered quite practical to consume. However, behind the pleasure of junk food, this food hides a number of impacts on the body that have certain health risks. Therefore, before consuming junk food, it is advisable to know the health risks that often arise from fast food.

Junk food is a very practical food and is a favorite dish for some people. Because this dish can be served instantly with a delicious taste and affordable price. It's no wonder that junk food is often the choice for some people, especially for those who do not have much time to prepare nutritious meals.

However, unfortunately, junk food is a type of food with low nutritional value. Several common ingredients in junk food have a negative impact on body health, including fats, calories, processed carbohydrates, and cholesterol. The lack of sufficient nutrients and vitamins in junk food makes it classified as having low nutritional value.

That's why, even though it may seem delicious, the consumption of junk food should be limited to avoid negative impacts on health. Because there are a number of health risks due to frequent consumption of junk food that need to be known as early as possible.

So what are the health risks of frequent consumption of junk food?

The health risks of frequent consumption of junk food are found in several points below. By knowing the health risks of frequent consumption of junk food, you can be more cautious and even limit these dishes. Here are 7 health risks that arise from frequent consumption of junk food.

1. Hypertension

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One of the health risks of frequently eating junk food is that it can increase high blood pressure. High blood pressure is also known as hypertension in medical terms. High blood pressure can be characterized by symptoms such as headaches, chest pain, and fatigue.

In addition, one of the factors that can cause a person to experience hypertension or high blood pressure, as reported by halodoc.com, is the consumption of high-salt foods and a lack of nutrition from fruits and vegetables. Among these two factors, junk food, including foods high in salt or sodium, is prone to increasing high blood pressure.

2. Obesity

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Another health risk of frequently eating junk food is the susceptibility to obesity. Obesity is a condition in which the body becomes overweight due to fat accumulation. There are several common causes of obesity, such as an unhealthy lifestyle and lack of physical activity.

In this case, the connection between frequent consumption of junk food and obesity is because these dishes contain high calories and trans fats that can make the body susceptible to obesity. As reported by liputan6.com, excessive consumption of trans fats found in some junk foods, such as fried foods, can cause a feeling of hunger and lead to consuming more junk food.

3. Respiratory Disorders

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The health risks of frequently consuming junk food include the possibility of experiencing respiratory disorders. This condition is a result of being overweight or obese. The high calories in junk food can potentially lead to obesity. When the body becomes obese, it indirectly causes various other health problems, including respiratory disorders. According to healhtline.com, research conducted on children who consume fast food three times a week shows a vulnerability to asthma.

4. Diabetes

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The health risks of frequently consuming junk food also include the potential for developing diabetes. This can occur due to the lack of nutritional value in junk food, including the presence of certain substances that increase blood sugar levels. According to liputan6.com, a study published in 2005 by The Lancet revealed that fast food, including junk food, has the potential to increase body weight and lead to other health problems, including diabetes. The high calorie, fat, sodium, and processed carbohydrates content are some of the factors that contribute to elevated blood sugar levels. Therefore, there is a risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

5. Risk of Dementia

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Still related to a number of health risks due to frequent consumption of junk food, it can also have an impact on the decline in brain function. Among the health disorders that can emerge are vulnerability to dementia or a decline in memory and thinking.

Some of the causes of dementia can include obesity, high cholesterol, and experiencing depression. In this case, junk food is known to contain high fat content that can increase insulin levels in the body. These high insulin levels can affect brain function. As reported by healthline.com, high insulin levels can cause the brain to stop responding to the hormone, limiting the ability to think, remember, and potentially causing dementia.

6. Depression

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Another health risk of frequent consumption of junk food is experiencing depression. Yes, depression can actually arise due to improper food consumption such as junk food. According to a study cited by liputan6.com, high cholesterol, saturated fat, and carbohydrates can make you 40 percent more likely to experience depression. Additionally, as reported by food.ndtv.com, insufficient nutrition such as the amino acid tryptophan can also increase feelings of depression.

7. Cancer Risks

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The health risks of frequently consuming junk food are also prone to health disorders such as cancer. This is because these foods contain high levels of fat and sugar with low nutritional value. In addition, as previously known, junk food can also be a cause of obesity, including health disorders such as cancer. According to liputan6.com from the Office Of The Surgeon General, obesity is associated with colorectal cancer, kidney cancer, and others.

So those are the 7 health risks of frequently consuming junk food. Therefore, meeting the nutritional and vitamin needs in the body with the consumption of healthy foods such as vegetables and fruits is necessary to maintain good health.

(kpl/nlw)