Is Fast Food Harmful - Coursework Example

Is fast Food Harmful? Name: Institution: Date: Is fast food harmful? Introduction Fast food is an additive and unhealthy. Apparently, fast food has become an indispensible part of life. Currently, particularly, in big cities, are always in a hurry and they have to eat as they move. Fast food has become convenient but is it healthy? This is a fundamental question that anyone sitting in a drive-thru should ask himself. Once someone falls for fast food it would be difficult to break the habit and it takes a lot of diligence and discipline to come out of the habit. It is rare for an individual to sit in the drive-thru line of a fast-food chain and end up ordering a well-balanced meal. New study shows that there is a connection between eating out, consuming fewer nutrients and more calories and increased risk of chronic diseases and childhood obesity. Fast foods restaurants have contributed immensely to health problems that many families are facing particularly in urban areas. It healthy for someone to prepare his food at home and even a version of fast food using whole meals instead of visiting fast foods restaurants. In this essay, it has been argued that fast food is harmful to one’s health. Fast food has a role to play in the family set up. Unchecked consumption of fast food can result in low libido in both women and men. Since the meals are low level of nutrition value, they tend to cause depression. Sex involves both is psychologically hence depression makes people to have low sex drive. Many things in fast food are synthetic and are categorized as pseudo-stressors-emulsifiers, preservatives, stabilizers, thickeners, or flavor enhancers, which induce mood swings and build stress. Majority of women engage in sexual activities depending on whether they are in the mood or not. This also applies to the men. People prone to migraines have a craving for junk food. Monosodium glutamate is known to be a trigger of headache and features prominently in the processed food (Currie et al, 2009). Men and women who are dysfunctional sexually and feed on fast food have themselves to blame. Many families have broken owing to low libido of one of the partners. Low sex drive is affecting many families and promiscuity has been defined as a result of dissatisfaction of one of the spouse. This is enough reason to convince anyone that junk food is harmful to his or her health. High cases of divorces have characterized developed or industrialized countries like the United States and Australia. Apart from mistrust and other challenges, high number of marriage break-ups is caused by sexual dysfunction. The reproduction system can therefore be affected b y the junk food or fast food that looks very convenient. Research indicates that young ladies who have a constant intake of fast food are highly susceptible to polycystic ovarian Syndrome. This is alarming! Pregnant women who regularly consume fast food are likely to give birth to obese children. These children will be exposed to high risk of high cholesterol levels and diabetes. Diabetes has its complications that will be discussed in this essay. Chemicals which are used in preservatives that are added to fast food can make children to be hyperactive. This does not sound appetizing at all! High blood pressure is one harmful effect of fast foods. Many lifestyle diseases including high blood pressure condition is cost by fast food. The world has come to the realization that lifestyle diseases are killing at a faster rate than HIV/Aids. Salt which is the main source of dietary sodium and a risk factor for high blood pressure is used for flavor for most fast foods. The Database of USDA Nutrients names cheeseburgers, submarine sandwiches as well as tacos among foods that contain highest amount of sodium. Soy-based Chinese food sauces together with breakfast sandwiches also contain highest level of salt (Kuripunjaban, 2008). American Heart Association observes that high sodium levels in foods may lead to high blood pressure, or hypertension. This condition can lead to development of peripheral vascular disease, strokes, and heart disease. Hardened arteries are another harmful condition that is brought about by consumption of fast foods. High levels of sodium in fast foods increase the harmful consequences of cholesterol. It is found in large amounts in tacos, corn dogs, cheeseburgers, breaded and fried shrimp, and chicken. Sandwiches for breakfast together with eggs and meat contain highest amount of cholesterol. These foods seem to be decisions and nutritive but their cholesterol ratios undermine any perceived benefit and occasion hardening of arteries or Atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis develops steadily as poor diet persists, slowly inhibiting oxygen transport and blood flow throughout the body. There are high chances of vascular clotting and bleeding to occur which has the potential of causing fatal strokes or heart attacks (Writefix.com, 2013). Many deaths have occurred in this manner leading to many families being left without a breadwinner when the only working partner dies. Destitute children particularly in developing countries are a source of concern for the governments of the respective citizens. Low levels of high-tech facilities and demoralized medical doctors due to low pay lead to high mortality rate of able-bodied people. Physical inactivity coupled with intake of fast food can lead to coronary artery disease. Cardiovascular risk is increased accompanied by other conditions like obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Sodium and cholesterol are dangerous when high amounts are included in meals that often appear in fast foods restaurants. Anyone is susceptible to weight gain when they take up a lot of calories that they are unable to consume within one day. The energy that is stored becomes fat. When pounds add up, harmful consequences on bones, reproduction and breathing, begin to develop. Obese of overweight individuals stand a greater risk of experiencing sleep apnea, arthritis, pregnancy complications and asthma. Gaining about 11Ibs from a meal composed of fast foods doubles ones chances of getting type 2 diabetes. Diabetes has been a cause for alarm as many cases are being reported every day. Families are spending huge amounts of money in maintaining diabetes patients. Obesity doubles the risk of developing hypertension, premature death in both men and women, and postmenopausal cancer in women (diabetespharmacist.com). The number of obese people in the world has tremendously increased and the more people lead sedentary lives devoid of exercise, the higher the chances of developing heart diseases and other complications. In every three adult American, one is obese. This is a startling finding that calls people to redefine their health lives. Fast food does not contain nutrients which are required by the body to remain healthy. High sodium and fat in fast food cause general poor cognitive performance. One feels tired because the entire body is not getting enough oxygen. An individual is easily fatigued and there is little concentration in the task being performed. Although fast foods contain minerals and vitamins, eating them often reduces nutritional value of other food items. Typically high amounts of sugar, fat, and salt take up the place of other beneficial nutrients. The sugar and fat content in these foods increase calorie counts, so one has to exercise and eat less, or stand the risk of unnecessarily gaining weight (LIVESTRONG.COM, 2010). Excess body weight brought about by increased deposits of calories has adverse effect on the health of an individual and his social and emotional life. Scientists in the United States have established that if an individual feeds on fast food for only a month, this will be precarious for her or his liver as icterus or hepatitis. One of the most harmful fast foods meals consists of French fries. Fast food is often cooked not on oil but fat, too much fat is not good for the liver. When the liver is damaged, the metabolism of the body is at risk of failing and a person can die from liver complications. People in drive-thru line are most willing to compromise being healthy for taste and convenience. Research indicates that the damage to arteries occurs almost immediately after just a meal of junk food. It is almost impossible to achieve moderation with junk food. Research has indicated that endothelium function declines after the consumption of one meal of fast food, or junk food. The consumption of fast food everyday has adverse effects on the arteries of the body and jeopardizes the circulatory system of the body and thus transport of oxygen. Indulgence in fast food to a rare level is acceptable but driving it to appoint that it qualifies as gluttony is very dangerous. Homemade fresh foods are nutrition and safe to the body than fast food. Fast food has to be limited to once or twice a month. Despite ingredients of fast foods being harmful, there is an increased campaign of advertisement on Television and Billboards of Fast foods. In theory fast food is a good idea; it is cheap, fast, and convenient and even tastes good. People working in offices have no time to prepare health foods and end up in fast foods restaurants. The food is always ready and most restaurants operate on self-service basis. However the long term consequences of feeding of fast food are poignant. The costs of dealing with health conditions that result from consumption of fast foods are enormous and overwhelming to the budget of any country. People compromise healthfulness for taste and convenience. In the long run medical bills begin to pill up as health conditions develop. Heart diseases are traumatizing and death can occur at any time. It is wise therefore to feed on balanced diets full of vegetables, fruits, fibers and plenty of water. Fast foods are accompanied by soft drinks like soda that have high sugar levels. High sugar amounts results in deposit of excess fat in the body. Serious chronic diseases such as diabetes, arthritis and heart disease are enhanced by the accumulation of fat in the body. Conclusion This essay has explored the harmful nature of fast food and the various risks that one exposes himself to when he consumes fast food. Fast food is enticing, tasty and convenient but it leaves the victim in more trouble once one starts succumbing to conditions that are brought about by fast foods like obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, and general poor cognitive performance. The effects of junk or fast food start almost immediately in the endothelium once a person feed on fast food. Homemade meals are healthy and have more nutritive value as compared to fast foods. The burden on the health care budget of a country is overwhelming and overshadows any other advantage perceived by the consumers. The consequences are adverse and devastating leaving a permanent mark in the lives of the victim unless strict measures are done to check the situation. Urban life being full of bustle, chaotic and unprecedented happening force many people to feed on junk food forgetting its long term impact. Even if there are positive attributes associated with fast foods such as convenience, job creation, and accessibility, these cannot be compared with the adverse effect of obesity, diabetes and other life threatening diseases like coronary artery disease. Health professionals advise against fast food and their advice has to be taken serious. References Writefix.com, 2013, Cause and effect: Fast Food, retrieved from http://writefix.com/?page_id=578 on 3rd May 2013. Currie, J., Della Vigna, S., Moretti, E. & Pathania, V., 2009, The effect of fast food restaurant on obesity and weight gain, American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, American Economic Association, 2(3): 32-63, retrieved from http://emlab.berkeley.edu/~sdellavi/wp/fastfoodJan09.pdf on 3rd May 2013. LIVESTRONG.COM, 2010, Harmful effects of fast foods, retrieved from http://www.livestrong.com/article/284510-harmful-effects-of-fast-foods/ on 3rd May 2013. http://www.diabetespharmacist.com/Fast-food-obesity-big(1).jpg Kuripunjaban, 2008, 6 negative effects of eating fast food, retrieved from http://www.unp.me/f150/6-negative-effects-of-eating-fast-food-24037/ on 3rd May, 2013. Read More