HEALTH WATCH:The deadly junk food invasion

By Dr Cory Couillard

Junk foods and take-away restaurants have become extremely popular due to the rising demand among people nearly everywhere. A quick bite at a low price is a seductive proposition that’s finger-licking good but unfortunately comes in a bag with health conditions.

The arrival of convenience foods has led to massive increases in obesity, diabetes and heart disease. The skyrocketing rates of these lifestyle-related conditions are among the working, middle and upper classes. 

Supermarkets contribute to these problems by offering shoppers the temptation of convenience foods that are high in salt, sugar and animal fat.

Junk foods are filled with preservatives, additives, flavourings, artificial colourings, hydrogenated fats, stabilizers, chemicals, sweeteners, sodium, sugar and calories that are devoid of any original, essential nutrients.

There are nearly six thousand chemicals that food companies add to food products that improve color, taste and shelf life. Nitrates and nitrites that are used in meat products such as bacon, sausage and ham have been found to contribute to the development of many forms of cancer.

Sodas, sugar-laced beverages and highly processed fruit juices contain a compound called benzoate or benzoic acid. This compound has been found to increase the risks of obesity, diabetes and a host of conditions leading to early mortality.

One of the most dangerous flavourings used is monosodium glutamate (MSG). MSG is a common cause of chest pains, depression, dizziness and mood swings.

The vast majority of pre-packaged foods such as pizzas, pastas, snacks, soups, sandwiches, cheeses and meats contain high amounts of sodium that is detrimental to one’s health.

Foods such as fried chicken, pizza, burgers, chips, sandwiches and ice creams contain excessive amounts of addictive sugars, trans fats and calories that bring you back for seconds. Most junk foods are deep fried in unhealthy hydrogenated cooking oils that wreck havoc on one’s immune and cardiovascular systems.

Highly processed, chemical-laden, ready-to-serve, convenience quick-bites offer little-to-no actual nutritional value. They simply fill the stomach temporarily and promote overeating as the body demands useful nutrients.

Research shows junk foods make children miss their daily nutritional requirements of nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables. This has been found to be a leading cause of behavioural misconduct, ADHD, poor school performance and other deficiencies.

Obesity, Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and cancer are growing concerns that are directly related to the escalating consumption of junk foods. Type 2 diabetes allows excessive amounts of unusable dietary sugars to circulate around the body creating substantial damage. Diabetic complications include heart attacks, strokes, high blood pressure, kidney failure and various pain disorders.

Junk foods decrease the levels of HDL (good) cholesterol and increase LDL (bad) cholesterol that is a leading cause of clogging of the arteries. Clogged arteries cause damage to the heart and increases one’s risk of body-disabling strokes.

Excessive amounts of salt, sugars, unhealthy saturated fat and trans fat also contribute to high blood pressure. The resultant high blood pressure is a leading cause of kidney damage and failure. LDL cholesterol, fat, salt and sugar can cause excessive damage to the liver as well.

The liver is integral to numerous bodily functions and is the major detoxifying organ in the body. Impaired liver function can cause a variety of symptoms such as digestive problems, immune disorders, abnormal absorption of fats and metabolism complications.

Dr Cory Couillard is an international healthcare speaker and columnist.He works in collaboration with the World Health Organization's goals of disease prevention and global healthcare education. Views do not necessarily reflect endorsement.