Most of the meals and foods are those that were prepared at home, but this healthy eating habit has changed a lot in the recent period among the new generation, and with the spread of fast food restaurants, cheap prices, and easy access to homes or within the reach of young people and adolescents, so that eating fast food and buying ready-made food has turned into a part of Our eating habits, and the continuous consumption of these substances, has a lot of damage to our physical and psychological health and even to our brains, the level of concentration and educational attainment.
Regarding the ingredients of fast food, Hassan Musa, a clinical nutrition specialist at the Abu Nakhla Health Center of the Primary Health Care Corporation, says that these foods contain many additives that give them a special flavor that makes them tastier. We mention them: Sugar: All fast food contains high levels of sugar. It is also added to marinades, sauces, meat, and dough. It causes many diseases such as diabetes, obesity, heart, and depression.
He adds that the fats used in some fast foods, such as red meat and cheese, contain natural saturated fats, and the oils are converted into solid fats and then added to meat and chicken, where they remain edible for a longer period. Trans fats increase harmful low-density lipoproteins, reduce beneficial high-density lipoproteins, and increase cholesterol buildup.
Preservatives Sodium salt is also used as a preservative that extends the shelf life of products, and is also used to improve flavor. A single meal of fast food can contain more than 1300 milligrams of sodium salt, more than half of the recommended daily amount, which leads to injury. High blood pressure, diabetes, and kidney disease.
Monosodium glutamate is also used as a flavor enhancer in many fast foods. Monosodium glutamate causes obesity, liver damage, and blood sugar fluctuations. Chemicals are also added to products and fast food to improve taste and extend shelf life. Propylene glycol is added to products used in fast foods to keep them moist and prevent them from sticking or drying. Sodium nitrite is added to beef in order to make it fresh for a longer period and enhance color, which increases the attractiveness of these foods. . Ammonium sulfate is added to the preserved pastry ready for cooking, as ammonium sulfate keeps it crisp.
The damage of fast food About the damage of fast food, clinical nutritionist Hassan Musa says: Fast food contains large amounts of salt, sugar, cholesterol, and harmful fats, in contrast, it contains small percentages of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients compared to healthy foods.
Those who overeat fast food can develop atherosclerosis, as fast food contains high amounts of cholesterol and salt, two elements that contribute to heart problems and vascular problems. And negative effects on blood pressure. Too much cholesterol can lead to plaque buildup in the arteries, or atherosclerosis. This condition can lead to stroke, heart attack, and death.
Diabetes There is a high possibility of developing diabetes due to the fact that many fast food and drinks that are eaten contain a high percentage of sugar. Consuming a lot of sugar regularly can have permanent negative effects on blood sugar levels.
Infection with obesity and fast foods contain fats and high calories, so it will be dangerous to eat them on a daily basis because of their effects, as the body gains high calories that it will not be able to get rid of easily, which results in obesity.
Impact on memory Hassan Musa, a clinical nutritionist, adds that fast food has a clear impact on our memory, especially for children and adolescents, as fast food causes chemical reactions in the brain that lead to memory impairment. Fast food that is high in sugar and fat inhibits the activity of a peptide in the brain that is responsible for increasing learning and consolidating memory.
Fast food increases the risk of dementia as fatty foods and sweets can increase insulin levels in our bodies. As insulin levels rise, the brain stops responding to this hormone and becomes resistant to it. This can limit our ability to think, remember or form memories, which increases the risk of dementia. And it increases the risk of depression because eating these foods leads to a lack of essential nutrients such as amino acids and tryptophan, the deficiency of which can lead to an increase in feelings of depression.
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