What is the impact of unhealthy food on health? Get To Know The Characters!

Unhealthy foods, especially those high in sugar, saturated fat, salt, and low in nutrients, can have a significant negative impact on health. Eigerians certainly don’t want to experience health problems due to unhealthy food consumption, right? Therefore, it is very important to know the characteristics of unhealthy foods so that Eigerians can avoid them.

The negative impact of unhealthy food can be felt in the short and long term. Consumption of unhealthy foods can directly affect the body and health within a few hours to days after consumption. For example, foods high in sugar such as sugary drinks, sweets, and processed foods can cause rapid spikes in blood sugar. After that, the blood sugar level will drop dramatically, which leads to a feeling of fatigue, lethargy and irritability.

If unhealthy foods are consumed continuously, then the risk of more serious health problems can increase, affecting long-term health such as obesity, Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and others.

Find out about the characteristics of unhealthy foods and their effects on health, through the interesting review below, come on!

Table of Contents hide
1 Characteristics Of Unhealthy Food
1.1 1. High In Sugar
1.2 2. High in saturated fat and Trans fat
1.3 3. High In Salt (Sodium)
1.4 4. Low Nutrient Content
1.5 5. Many preservatives and additives
1.6 6. High calorie but low in nutrients
1.7 7. Over-Processed
2 impact of unhealthy foods on physical health
2.1 1. Weight gain and obesity
2.2 2. Heart disease and high blood pressure
2.3 3. Type 2 Diabetes
2.4 4. Digestive Problems
3 Can Unhealthy Food Affect Mental Health?
Characteristics Of Unhealthy Food
characteristics of unhealthy food
Source: Freepik
Unhealthy foods usually contain ingredients that can be bad for health if consumed in excess. The following are some of the characteristics of unhealthy foods that need to be considered carefully:

  1. High In Sugar
    Foods that are high in sugar such as sweets, soft drinks, cakes, and other sweet foods are examples of unhealthy foods. In addition, there are many processed foods containing hidden sugars, such as tomato sauce, yogurt, and packaged bread. Of course, this is a characteristic feature of unhealthy foods that need to be considered.
  2. High in saturated fat and Trans fat
    Foods that are high in saturated fat, such as red meat, butter, and full-fat dairy products, are characteristic of unhealthy foods because they can increase levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) in the blood. In addition, another characteristic is that it contains trans fats, which are often found in processed foods, such as margarine, fast food and fried foods. Trans fats are very dangerous because they can increase LDL levels and lower good cholesterol (HDL).
  3. High In Salt (Sodium)
    The next characteristic feature of unhealthy foods is that they contain very high levels of salt. Excessive salt can cause hypertension (high blood pressure), which can increase the risk of stroke and heart disease.
  4. Low Nutrient Content
    Unhealthy foods usually lack important nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, as well as fiber. For example, fast food or junk food often does not provide the nutrients needed by the body to function properly. In addition, foods made from white flour, such as white bread, processed pasta, and white rice, tend to be low in fiber and lose many important nutrients during the processing process.
  5. Many preservatives and additives
    Other unhealthy foods are those that contain preservatives, dyes, and artificial flavors that are not natural. These ingredients can cause allergic reactions, irritation, or long-term health problems if taken continuously.
  6. High calorie but low in nutrients
    Foods that contain many calories but few nutrients are also characteristic of unhealthy foods. Typically, these foods will only add energy in the form of empty calories without providing nutritional benefits, which can lead to weight gain.
  7. Over-Processed
    Excessive processing of food is the next characteristic feature of unhealthy food that must be watched out for. Products such as frozen foods, processed meats (sausages, nuggets), and packaged snacks that are usually over-processed will lose most of their natural nutrients. Plus, the processing process also often adds chemicals and preservatives.

Also read: list of stew Foods for Diet, can be an alternative when bored

The impact of unhealthy food on physical health
characteristics of unhealthy food
Source: Freepik
The following are some of the impacts that can occur due to consumption of unhealthy foods:

  1. Weight gain and obesity
    Fast food, processed foods, and sugary snacks are usually high in calories, fat, sugar, but low in essential nutrients. Excessive consumption of these foods will lead to excess calories, which leads to weight gain and obesity. Then, obesity can also increase the risk of various chronic diseases such as Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure.
  2. Heart disease and high blood pressure
    Foods rich in saturated and trans fats, such as fried foods and processed products, will increase bad cholesterol (LDL) levels and lower good cholesterol (HDL). This will contribute to the formation of plaque in the arteries, which can lead to atherosclerosis and increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. In addition, unhealthy foods such as salty snacks, processed meats, and fast food are often high in Salt. Excessive consumption of salt will increase blood pressure, which is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke.
  3. Type 2 Diabetes
    Sugary foods and drinks, such as fizzy drinks, candy, and cakes, can cause spikes in blood sugar levels and increase the risk of insulin resistance. Then in the long run, a high-sugar diet can lead to type 2 diabetes, especially if accompanied by a less active lifestyle. In addition, excessive sugar consumption is also often associated with weight gain, which is an additional risk factor for Type 2 diabetes.
  4. Digestive Problems
    Unhealthy foods tend to be low in fiber, whereas a lack of fiber can cause digestive problems such as constipation, irritable bowel, and other digestive disorders. A low-fiber, high-fat Diet is also associated with an increased risk of digestive disorders, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), to colon cancer.

Can Unhealthy Food Affect Mental Health?
In addition to the impact on physical health, it turns out that consumption of unhealthy foods can also affect mental health. Excessive consumption of processed foods, high in sugar, and saturated fat is also associated with an increased risk of depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders. Rapid jumps and drops in blood sugar levels can lead to unstable mood swings.

What’s more, unhealthy foods often lack nutrients that are important for brain function, such as omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins, and antioxidants. Though the lack of these nutrients can affect cognitive function and overall mental health.

Always remember that avoiding or limiting the consumption of unhealthy foods and switching to fresh, natural and balanced foods is essential to keep the body healthy. So from now on, make sure Eigerian always consume healthy foods so that physical and mental health is always maintained.