It is virtually impossible to go anywhere in the United States without running into a fast food joint, usually filled with a menu of fried or greasy food items. That’s why it is so important to be knowledgeable about the effects that these fried and greasy foods have on our bodies.
According to the Department of Nutrition at Harvard School of Public Health, researchers found that people who ate fried food at least once per week had a greater risk of both type 2 diabetes and heart disease, and that the risk increased as the frequency of fried food consumption increased.
Here are five things that happen to your body when you eat fried or greasy foods:
- It increases the risk of heart disease and diabetes. An extensive study led by Leah Cahill, research fellow in the Department of Nutrition at Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) found that as the consumption of fried food increases, so does the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
- It leads to obesity. Various studies have reported a positive correlation between fried food intake and the rate of obesity.
- It strains the digestive system. With each fried dish comes a high volume of fat. Fats are difficult to break down, requiring high levels of enzymes and digestive juices to help digest them, putting an intense strain on the digestive system.
- It affects gut bacteria. A diet consisting of mainly greasy foods lacks the important nutrients that your microbiome (also known as gut bacteria) needs. This can result in hormone imbalances and lowered immunity.
- It causes acne. Greasy foods with high oil content can lead to hormone imbalances, which may affect the skin through acne breakouts.
If fried foods make up a large portion of your diet, don’t stress —there are easy solutions. Here are a few things the CDC recommends to help you improve your eating habits.
- Minimize distractions while eating. Eliminating distractions such as TV or a cell phone while you eat may help you to better focus on what you are eating, and how much of it or how quickly you are eating it.
- Eat slowly. Slowing yourself down during meals can help you be more mindful of your hunger.
- Plan your meals. Planning your meals ahead of time can help to ensure that you have healthy, well-balanced meals to come home to, rather than turning to fast food instead.
In order to ensure the healthiest diet for you and your family, limit your daily intake of fried or greasy food items. And be sure to check out SOMOS Dash Blog to learn more about how to have a healthier diet and improve your eating habits to be the best you!