International Journal for Research in Applied Science & Engineering Technology (IJRASET) ISSN: 2321-9653; IC Value: 45.98; SJ Impact Factor: 7.429 Volume 8 Issue IX Sep 2020- Available at www.ijraset.com Although junk foods are very tempting to the palate and hit the exact points of our sensory lobe quick, we also end up with the one being slowly pulled more and more towards it. Therefore, it is very important to spread the message about the ill effects of junk foods. Here are the harmful substances that junk foods contain[8][9]. A. FAT Nutritionists have been saying for years that high fat diets are unhealthy. While some fat is necessary (about 60 – 65g a day), many types of junk food are loaded with fat. Frying foods or adding chocolate may make food delicious, but also adds lots of fat to a food. The dangers of excess fat in the diet include weight gain or obesity, heart disease, and diabetes[8][9]. B. Saturated Fat This type of fat also leads to weight gain, but it is also dangerous in that it increases the amount of bad cholesterol in the blood which leads to plaque build up in the arteries. Clogged arteries can lead to heart disease or stroke. Saturated fat also interferes with the hormones that tell the stomach is full [8][9]. C. Sodium Processed junk food contains a lot of sodium. The problem is most of the sodium in our diet can be found in processed foods, such as various sauces, fast food, canned vegetables, soups, and cured or reserved meats. Eating too much sodium can lead to water retention and increased blood pressure, causes the kidneys and heart to work harder. Excess salt intake may increase risk of stomach cancer, as too much of salt can harm stomach lining [8][9]. D. Sugar Sugars occur naturally in foods like fruits and dairy products, but many junk foods have added sugar. The American Heart Association recommends that women eat no more than 100 calories from added sugar. This translates into about six teaspoons of added sugar for women and nine teaspoons for men. Too much sugar can lead to weight gain, cavities, and increased levels of triglycerides, which can be a risk factor for heart disease. A serving of Oreos (4 cookies) has 3.5 teaspoons of sugar, while a can of coca-cola has nearly 10 teaspoons of sugar. Eating lots of sugary foods are more likely to cause to gain weight, which increases risk of cancers due changes in hormone levels[8][9]. E. High Fructose Corn Syrup The extra refining processes involved in the creation of the syrup makes it unhealthier for body, but regardless, it is still roughly equivalent to sugar nutritionally. This is a cheaper alternative to cane and beet sugar. This means that calories from high fructose corn syrup should be combined with white sugar to make up the 100 to 150 calories from added sugars. HFCS is found in most sodas, cookies, many sugary cereals, and most types of processed junk foods. HFCS potentially contributes to obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease [8][9]. F. Trans-Fat Also known as “partially hydrogenated oils” or “trans fatty acids”, this type of fat is frequently found in fried foods. Trans-fats are cheap and enhances foods taste, texture, and shelf life of many processed foods but they also raise bad cholesterol (LDL) level while lowering good cholesterol (HDL) levels [8][9]. G. Artificial Sweeteners Many junk food products today that market themselves as “diet” or “sugar-free” are using artificial sweeteners to cut out some sugar and save some calories. While they don’t have some of the side effects of sugar, like tooth decay and lots of calories, they are still processed chemical additives. These include aspartame, saccharin, sucralose, acesulfame-k and more. They are 30 to 8000 times sweeter than sugar resulting fewer calories than table sugar. They have been associated with a negative impact on metabolism, and some have been linked to obesity, IBS, brain damage, cancer, headaches, dizziness, and hallucinations [8][9]. H. Artificial Colors Artificial colors are used to enhance the color of the food and make it look a lot more appealing, but these colors host a rainbow of risks: some of them have been linked to various health issues, such as allergic reactions, fatigue, asthma, skin rashes, hyperactivity, headaches, and they are also linked to various types of cancers.
©IJRASET: All Rights are Reserved
341
