Destructive mental consequences of fast food consumption
Most people choose fast food for three reasons: they are quick to prepare, usually tasty, and relatively inexpensive.
Despite the negative health effects of a diet rich in fast food (eg, excess fat, cholesterol, sugar, and sodium), these foods still have many fans, leading to nutritional deficiencies and weight gain.
However, in addition to the well-known physical consequences, fast food can also have lesser-known and harmful effects on our brain and mental health.
Fast food has been linked to depression and addiction
Canadian researchers from the University of Montreal found that following a diet high in sugar and fat increases the rate of depression. During the study conducted by them, a diet with high fat (58% of calories from fat) and sugar was considered for rats for six weeks, and after this period and stopping feeding with fatty foods, symptoms of depression and anxiety increased. The findings were observed in these mice compared to those on a low-fat diet (only 11% of calories from fat).
The researchers concluded that a diet high in fat and sugar causes changes in brain chemical activity, particularly levels of corticosterone (a stress hormone) and CREB (the protein that causes addictive feelings and behaviors) significantly increases and a vicious cycle of eating is created.
Hyperactivity and anxiety
Studies and discussions about sugar and its effect on anxiety and hyperactivity are still ongoing. A study in the publication Clinical Pediatrics published, showed that feeding children foods that have a high content of preservatives and artificial colors (eg, sodium benzoate) increases the risk of clinical hyperactivity.
Another study conducted in 2012 with the presence of 800 children with hyperactivity showed that eliminating food colors and artificial preservatives from the diet can be effective in reducing irritability, panic, sleep disorders, and restlessness.
Another study in the publication Psychology Today published, showed that diets low in omega-3 fatty acids and high in refined carbohydrate content (such as those found in fast food) altered anxiety levels. According to research, blood sugar fluctuations significantly increase the levels of fatigue, moodiness and anxiety.
Sugar causes obsessive eating
A diet rich in sugar and fat can lead to the formation of obsessive overeating habits. These conditions can be similar to drug addiction. The results of a study by a group of researchers at Connecticut College showed that the brains of rodents after eating cookies with cream showed higher rates of activity in the pleasure centers (nucleus accumbens, septum pelosidem, and hypothalamus).
You face educational disorders
A fast food diet is high in fat. The fat in fast foods usually includes trans and saturated fats, which are considered unhealthy types and lack healthy types such as omega-3 fatty acids. These conditions can be especially problematic for children who go to school. A study conducted by Australian researchers showed that children who were deficient in omega-3 fatty acids were more likely to have learning difficulties, especially in the areas of spelling, reading and behavior.
During this study, the educational progress of a group of 396 children between the ages of 6 and 12 years was monitored and investigated. Half of the children were given an omega-3 drink, while the control group received a placebo. After six months, the children who received the omega-3 drink had better scores on tests of memory and verbal intelligence compared to the control group.
You are impatient
During a series of different experiments conducted by Canadian researchers, it was found that just thinking about fast food can make people feel rushed. According to Canadian researchers, the way people eat and the diet they follow has a wide and often unconscious influence on behavior and choices unrelated to eating.
You eat too fast and too much
It is not only food that makes you eat fast, but researches have shown that the general atmosphere of the place where you eat is also effective in this regard. Fast food restaurants are designed with fast eating in mind, and studies have shown that the faster you eat, the more calories you consume. Bright and bright colors like yellow and red are mentally stimulating. High light and loud music can encourage a person to eat quickly.
Source: Asr Iran