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See Also
See Again
© Shutterstock
0 / 29 Fotos
Low nutritional value
- Most junk foods are packed with simple carbohydrates, fats, and sodium. They usually lack the nutrients you need to nourish your body.
© Shutterstock
1 / 29 Fotos
Obesity
- Junk food is usually high in calories and very addictive. Consuming more calories than our body needs will lead to obesity.
© Shutterstock
2 / 29 Fotos
Obesity - Obesity is linked to a number of health problems. Among other aspects of your body, your respiratory system can suffer.
© iStock
3 / 29 Fotos
Breathing - Difficulty breathing and even the development of respiratory diseases can occur.
© Shutterstock
4 / 29 Fotos
Respiratory system - A study has found that children who consume fast food at least three times a week are more likely to develop asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis, and severe eczema.
© Shutterstock
5 / 29 Fotos
Consistency and texture - Due to the consistency of fast food, you spend less time chewing and will consequently eat faster.
© Shutterstock
6 / 29 Fotos
Hunger
- Not only will you eat faster, but you will eat more, as your brain will not have enough time to release leptin, a hormone that signals that you’re full.
© Shutterstock
7 / 29 Fotos
Impact on digestive and cardiovascular systems - Fast food is packed with sugar. In the presence of these simple carbohydrates, your body will release insulin to control the spike of glucose in your blood.
© Shutterstock
8 / 29 Fotos
Impact on digestive and cardiovascular systems
- This is how your body works. The twist is that if you do this too often, you are more likely to develop insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.
© Shutterstock
9 / 29 Fotos
Mental health
- Consumption of junk food has been linked to effects on your mental well-being in addition to your physical.
© Shutterstock
10 / 29 Fotos
Mental health
- A study has concluded that fast food and other processed foods may increase your risk of depression.
© Shutterstock
11 / 29 Fotos
It can make you feel sluggish and lethargic
- High fat and carbs are the perfect combination for you to want to take a nap, instead of being productive and moving.
© Shutterstock
12 / 29 Fotos
But it can also make you a bit hyper
- A study found that artificial food coloring can increase hyperactivity in children.
© Shutterstock
13 / 29 Fotos
Memory and cognitive function - Junk foods may have an impact on these as you’ll feel more tired and unable to focus due to the poor nutritional value of certain foods.
© Shutterstock
14 / 29 Fotos
High sodium
- Sodium makes food taste better and it’s indeed an important mineral, but too much of it can make you feel bloated.
© Shutterstock
15 / 29 Fotos
High sodium - But water retention is not the only consequence of excessive sodium consumption. It can elevate blood pressure and consequently put your cardiovascular system under stress.
© Shutterstock
16 / 29 Fotos
High sodium - In addition, excess sodium can increase the risk of developing kidney stones and kidney disease.
© Shutterstock
17 / 29 Fotos
Food coloring
- Caramel-coloring in sodas has been linked to cancer, so it’s not only solid foods you need to worry about.
© Shutterstock
18 / 29 Fotos
Weak bones
- Consumption of junk food can lead to lower bone density. This is mostly due to the high sodium in these foods.
© Shutterstock
19 / 29 Fotos
Inflammation
- Phthalates, chemical compounds found mostly in plastic and food packaging, increase levels of inflammation in the body. This can lead to a number of health problems.
© Shutterstock
20 / 29 Fotos
Reproductive system - Phthalates can also impact how your hormones work and potentially affect fertility.
© Shutterstock
21 / 29 Fotos
Dietary fiber - Junk foods lack dietary fiber. This means that if you eat a lot of it, it will affect your digestive system and you might become constipated.
© Shutterstock
22 / 29 Fotos
Cancer
- Meat cooked at certain high temperatures produces heterocyclic amines. These compounds may increase the risk of developing cancer, a study found.
© Shutterstock
23 / 29 Fotos
Teeth
- The acidic nature of many fast foods, including sodas, can break down tooth enamel, leading to cavities.
© Shutterstock
24 / 29 Fotos
Skin
- The sugar spike you get from junk foods can trigger a number of inflammatory responses, including acne and eczema.
© Shutterstock
25 / 29 Fotos
Trans fats - Artificial trans fats are commonly found in a number of junk foods.
© Shutterstock
26 / 29 Fotos
Trans fats - The consumption of trans fats can increase bad cholesterol and decrease good cholesterol.
© Shutterstock
27 / 29 Fotos
Trans fats
- But there’s more! You're also at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
© Shutterstock
28 / 29 Fotos
© Shutterstock
0 / 29 Fotos
Low nutritional value
- Most junk foods are packed with simple carbohydrates, fats, and sodium. They usually lack the nutrients you need to nourish your body.
© Shutterstock
1 / 29 Fotos
Obesity
- Junk food is usually high in calories and very addictive. Consuming more calories than our body needs will lead to obesity.
© Shutterstock
2 / 29 Fotos
Obesity - Obesity is linked to a number of health problems. Among other aspects of your body, your respiratory system can suffer.
© iStock
3 / 29 Fotos
Breathing - Difficulty breathing and even the development of respiratory diseases can occur.
© Shutterstock
4 / 29 Fotos
Respiratory system - A study has found that children who consume fast food at least three times a week are more likely to develop asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis, and severe eczema.
© Shutterstock
5 / 29 Fotos
Consistency and texture - Due to the consistency of fast food, you spend less time chewing and will consequently eat faster.
© Shutterstock
6 / 29 Fotos
Hunger
- Not only will you eat faster, but you will eat more, as your brain will not have enough time to release leptin, a hormone that signals that you’re full.
© Shutterstock
7 / 29 Fotos
Impact on digestive and cardiovascular systems - Fast food is packed with sugar. In the presence of these simple carbohydrates, your body will release insulin to control the spike of glucose in your blood.
© Shutterstock
8 / 29 Fotos
Impact on digestive and cardiovascular systems
- This is how your body works. The twist is that if you do this too often, you are more likely to develop insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.
© Shutterstock
9 / 29 Fotos
Mental health
- Consumption of junk food has been linked to effects on your mental well-being in addition to your physical.
© Shutterstock
10 / 29 Fotos
Mental health
- A study has concluded that fast food and other processed foods may increase your risk of depression.
© Shutterstock
11 / 29 Fotos
It can make you feel sluggish and lethargic
- High fat and carbs are the perfect combination for you to want to take a nap, instead of being productive and moving.
© Shutterstock
12 / 29 Fotos
But it can also make you a bit hyper
- A study found that artificial food coloring can increase hyperactivity in children.
© Shutterstock
13 / 29 Fotos
Memory and cognitive function - Junk foods may have an impact on these as you’ll feel more tired and unable to focus due to the poor nutritional value of certain foods.
© Shutterstock
14 / 29 Fotos
High sodium
- Sodium makes food taste better and it’s indeed an important mineral, but too much of it can make you feel bloated.
© Shutterstock
15 / 29 Fotos
High sodium - But water retention is not the only consequence of excessive sodium consumption. It can elevate blood pressure and consequently put your cardiovascular system under stress.
© Shutterstock
16 / 29 Fotos
High sodium - In addition, excess sodium can increase the risk of developing kidney stones and kidney disease.
© Shutterstock
17 / 29 Fotos
Food coloring
- Caramel-coloring in sodas has been linked to cancer, so it’s not only solid foods you need to worry about.
© Shutterstock
18 / 29 Fotos
Weak bones
- Consumption of junk food can lead to lower bone density. This is mostly due to the high sodium in these foods.
© Shutterstock
19 / 29 Fotos
Inflammation
- Phthalates, chemical compounds found mostly in plastic and food packaging, increase levels of inflammation in the body. This can lead to a number of health problems.
© Shutterstock
20 / 29 Fotos
Reproductive system - Phthalates can also impact how your hormones work and potentially affect fertility.
© Shutterstock
21 / 29 Fotos
Dietary fiber - Junk foods lack dietary fiber. This means that if you eat a lot of it, it will affect your digestive system and you might become constipated.
© Shutterstock
22 / 29 Fotos
Cancer
- Meat cooked at certain high temperatures produces heterocyclic amines. These compounds may increase the risk of developing cancer, a study found.
© Shutterstock
23 / 29 Fotos
Teeth
- The acidic nature of many fast foods, including sodas, can break down tooth enamel, leading to cavities.
© Shutterstock
24 / 29 Fotos
Skin
- The sugar spike you get from junk foods can trigger a number of inflammatory responses, including acne and eczema.
© Shutterstock
25 / 29 Fotos
Trans fats - Artificial trans fats are commonly found in a number of junk foods.
© Shutterstock
26 / 29 Fotos
Trans fats - The consumption of trans fats can increase bad cholesterol and decrease good cholesterol.
© Shutterstock
27 / 29 Fotos
Trans fats
- But there’s more! You're also at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
© Shutterstock
28 / 29 Fotos
What happens to your body when you eat junk food
How bad is junk food really?
© Shutterstock
We've all been there—that moment when junk food is either the only option, or the option we simply can't resist.
Well, there is actual science behind this appeal. There are many reasons why fast food is so irresistible. From the ingredients, to the texture and flavors, junk food lures us into craving more and sometimes even becoming addicted to it.
But how harmful is it to eat junk food? What actually happens to your body when you bite into a heavily-processed burger?
Click through the gallery to find out!
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