Food is one of life's necessities---your body needs an almost constant supply of food and water to keep it functioning properly. A good diet, consisting of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, meat, fish, eggs and dairy, provides energy, vitamins, minerals and fiber. Modern convenience foods, treats such as candy and ice cream, and many breakfast cereals and pre-prepared foods, contain plenty of energy but are often devoid of the essential nutrients needed to maintain your health. A number of dangers can be attributed to a bad diet.
Obesity
A poor diet will probably include numerous processed foods, which often contain refined sugars and fats. These foods will be very energy-dense and, if consumed in excess, will result in weight gain. A significant gain in weight is referred to as obesity, or an accumulation of body fat to the degree that ill health may result. Obese people are more prone to coronary heart disease, osteoarthritis, high blood pressure, stroke, respiratory infections and premature mortality.
Diabetes
When you eat carbohydrates, such as bread, your blood glucose levels rise. Your body produces insulin, which transports the glucose from your blood into your cells for energy or storage for later use. A diet that results in obesity or that contains too much sugar can lead to diabetes. Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects your ability to process carbohydrates. There are two main types of diabetes---type 1, where no insulin is produced; and type 2, where insulin is produced but is unable to perform its job properly. Both types of diabetes result in a rise in blood sugar levels that can be fatal if left unchecked. Although diabetes can be genetic, a poor diet can significantly increase your chances of developing both forms of the disease.
Hypertension
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is often associated with a high salt intake. High blood pressure can have a negative effect on the health of your heart, eyes and kidneys. Many convenience foods, commonplace in a poor diet, contain large amounts of salt--for example, frozen dinners, processed meats and savory snacks such as potato chips. Although not physically addictive, salt is something some people find very hard to cut back on, especially if they enjoy the taste.
Coronary Heart Disease
Coronary heart disease, or CHD, is the narrowing or occlusion of the arteries that keep the heart supplied with oxygenated blood. If the blood that supplies the heart is cut off, sections of the heart will become damaged, resulting in a heart attack, which can be fatal. CHD is often attributed to an over-consumption of saturated fat, which is sometimes described as artery-clogging fat. Many convenience foods are high in fat and, in addition to being very calorie-dense, may increase the risk of developing CHD.
Tooth Decay
Many of the foods considered to be unhealthy contain large amounts of refined sugar. This may be in the form of glucose syrup, refined corn syrup, fructose or other variants. All sugars are very acidic and will attack the tough enamel that covers your teeth. Sodas---some of which contain as many as 8 teaspoons of sugar per serving--processed fruit juices, candies, cakes, cookies and even breakfast cereals all contain large amounts of sugar. Even with good dental and oral hygiene, consuming sugar-laden foods will, according to dentist and author Thomas McGuire, increase your risk of experiencing tooth decay.
References
- "ACSM's Resources for the Personal Trainer"; American College of Sports Medicine; 2009
- "Eat, Drink, and Be Healthy: The Harvard Medical School Guide to Healthy Eating"; Walter Willett and P. J. Skerrett; 2005
- "Tooth Fitness: Your Guide to Healthy Teeth"; Thomas McGuire; 1994
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