There’s no denying that overeating junk food can ruin your life. However, ‘healthy’ foods have flaws as well. With this latest research roundup, we reveal the ‘healthy staples’ that get a bad rap and how the humble sandwich may be healthier than you think. Continue reading to learn how to make science-backed food choices.
JUNK FOOD IS RUINING YOUR LIFE, BUT A PEANUT BUTTER JELLY SANDWICH COULD SAVE IT
According to a new study from the University of Michigan, eating every hot dog can cut your life by 36 minutes. However, a drastic change in diet is not required to reverse the damage. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches might be the answer. Researchers discovered that a portion of nuts could almost wholly offset the life-shortening effects of a hot dog (one portion adds 26 minutes to your life). They also specifically recommend peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, claiming that the high nut content outweighs the disadvantages of peanut butter. If you eat meat, another life-extension strategy is to replace 10% of your calorie intake with nuts, fruits, or vegetables rather than meat. Every day, you can add 48 minutes to your healthy life, defined as good quality, disease-free life. The researchers used a Health Nutritional Index to calculate these figures. They estimated the health burden per gram of 5800 foods, taking into account risk factors such as sodium and trans fatty acids and the benefits of polyunsaturated fat and fibers.
THE ‘HEALTHY’ FOODS YOU SHOULD LIMIT
Researchers used the Health Nutritional Index to determine the environmental impact of 5800 foods as part of the hot dog study mentioned above. They assessed how foods are produced, harvested, processed, consumed, and disposed of and their nutritional value. Again, they discovered that replacing 10% of your calorie intake with nuts, fruits, or vegetables instead of meat was a wise choice – it can reduce your daily dietary carbon footprint by one-third. They also discovered that salmon is not the miracle food many people believe it to be. While it can add 16 minutes to your healthy life, it has a negative impact on the environment and is recommended by experts that you reduce your intake. Chili con carne with beans was also in the same boat. While it’s no surprise that Coca-Cola is bad for your health (each drink can cut 12.5 minutes off your life), it was given the thumbs up for its environmental impact.
WHAT DOES TOO MUCH SUGAR DO TO YOUR BODY?
The average American consumes about 22 teaspoons of added sugar per day, which is more than three times the daily limit for women and twice the daily limit for men! Overconsumption is well known to cause high blood pressure, diabetes, fatty liver disease, and an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. But why is that? We can now see what excess sugar does at the cellular level, thanks to a new study published in Cell Reports. The researchers discovered that too much sugar causes too much glucose in cells, which affects lipid composition throughout the body and, as a result, the mitochondria (energy generators within each cell), which become less efficient and reduce their output. Ning Wu, Ph.D., the study’s lead author, explains that while we may not notice the sugar-induced difference in mitochondrial performance, our bodies do. “If the lipid balance is disrupted for an extended period, we may begin to notice subtle changes, such as tiring more quickly.” When the mitochondria underperform, it sets the stage for metabolic diseases to take hold.
WHICH FOODS WILL PAY OFF DECADES FROM NOW?
While eating healthy plant-based foods benefits everyone, it benefits young adults. A new study discovered that those who ate a healthy plant-centered diet as a young adult had a lower risk of heart disease years later.
Researchers scored the quality of each woman’s diet using a Priori Diet Quality Score to record the intake of beneficial foods, neutral foods, and adverse foods while working with 4,946 women (aged 18 – 30 when the study began in 1985). During the 32-year follow-up period, 289 of the participants developed cardiovascular disease. Those who consumed the most nutritionally dense plant foods (and were in the top 20% on the long-term diet quality score) were 52 percent less likely to develop cardiovascular disease than others. Those who improved their diet quality and consumed more beneficial plant foods between the ages of 25 and 50 were 61% less likely to develop subsequent cardiovascular disease. The researchers pointed out that a nutrient-dense, plant-centered diet does not have to be vegetarian. It simply refers to foods that are as natural as possible, not highly processed, and contain no animal products, such as non-fried poultry, non-fried fish, eggs, and low-fat dairy.
Junk food can be found almost anywhere, just like turinabol comprar. It can be purchased in supermarkets, convenience stores, workplaces, schools, and vending machines. Junk food is difficult to limit or avoid due to its accessibility and convenience. You may have wondered whether you should avoid it at all costs or follow the adage “everything in moderation.” This article covers everything you need to know about junk food and whether complete abstinence is preferable to the occasional indulgence.