Eating junk food on a regular basis can increase the risk of obesity and chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and some types of cancer. If your diet is high in fat, salt and sugar and you don't get essential nutrients, your risk of obesity and other chronic diseases (in the long term) may increase. ARE YOU AT RISK? Are you at risk for type 2 diabetes, heart disease, or kidney disease? Use the risk tester to find out. Eating an excessive amount of junk food can have a negative effect on your overall health and well-being and can also reduce your ability to stay active.
Processing that eliminates vitamins, minerals and fiber turns junk food into sources of empty calories that nutritionists despise. This trend has occurred simultaneously with the increase in the epidemics of numerous chronic diseases and explains a long list of reasons why eating junk food is bad. Children who eat a lot of junk food can develop nutritional deficiencies that cause lack of energy, mood swings, sleep disorders and poor academic performance, among other health problems, according to the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension. The junk food in these children's diets accounts for 187 additional calories per day, leading to an additional 6 pounds of weight gain per year.
Let's discuss some of the negative effects of eating junk food, from the fact that the dentist detects cavities more frequently during regular checkups and sees the need for dental implants due to lack of teeth, to problems with the main internal organs, such as the heart or the digestive system. Junk food is also often low in fiber, which has negative consequences for long-term gut health. Junk food used to be just an occasional “treat”, but nowadays Australians eat more and more often. If you're short, short in stature, overweight, or don't engage in much physical activity, junk food may not fit into your diet, or at least you may need to minimize the amount you eat.
Also keep in mind that products known as “health foods”, such as some fruit juices and muesli bars, can actually be junk food if they contain high levels of sugar, salt, or fat. In general, most Australians eat too much junk food and should strive to eat less and less frequently.
