Definition Junk Food
Foods that have a low nutritional value and are therefore considered unhealthy are called junk food.
Junk food is characterized by empty calories. These empty calories do not differ from normal calories by their energy content, but this term expresses that Junk Food contains few vitamins, minerals, trace elements (Spurenelemente), fiber (Ballaststoffe) and amino acids. In addition, Junk Food contains a high content of sugar, salt, fat and often chemical additives.
Impact of Junk Food on our body
It has been found out that very fatty foods (f.e. burgers) disturb the formation of new nerve cells in the brain.
Foods with high sugar and fat content disturb the insulin level of the brain and replace the important Omega 3 fats, which are important for the formation and maintenance (Erhaltung) of cells. This results in a poorer memory, an increased risk of cancer and you age faster.
Of course, you probably think that döner kebab or burger also contains salad or vegetables, but this is not sufficient to cover the daily needs of our body for vitamins and minerals so that there is always a shortage of these substances. Furthermore, junk food is too rich in energy and often covers a large part of a person's energy requirements, which vary from person to person.
You don't usually pay attention to how much energy you consume or how much you find in food. However, this is wrong and should be changed urgently. While sportsmen pay attention very exactly to the nutrition, the normal citizen hardly makes that anymore. If the amount of energy required is exceeded day by day, you will gain weight. Of course, a little fat on the stomach is not bad, however, the weight gain can go so far that obesity of the body develops, which is connected with risks. The obesity (Fettleibigkeit) results from the sugar, which is taken by the Fastfood to itself and due to the large mass cannot be burned completely. It is therefore stored in the cells of the body and is converted into fat so that a layer of fat is formed under the skin and around our organs.
Impact of Junk Food on the environment
Junk food is not only harmful to our body, but also to the environment. The huge quantities of packaging often land in our oceans or on our streets, where animals can eat them. Global plastic production has increased by more than twenty times over the last 50 years. Every year 1,000,000 seabirds and 100,000 marine mammals (Meeressäuger) die from the consumption of our discarded plastics, according to an environmental organization.
The high meat consumption is also a big problem for the environment, with the exception of organic meat. In order to produce meat, huge amounts of animal feed are needed. Especially in developing countries forests are cut down to grow animal feed. Often areas where food for the hungry population should have been grown, are also used for animal feed production. Only organic meat is produced without these feeds and in harmony with our nature. Every square meter less of tropical forest increases the greenhouse effect.
In addition, the finished products often have a long transport route behind them, which is also very harmful to the environment, because of CO2 emissions.
Why is it gaining popularity these days?
Many people want their food to be fast, uncomplicated and, if possible, without getting their fingers dirty. But why is it gaining popularity?
First of all, it is very practical. For example: If you are hungry you just have to go to a Junk Food restaurant like McDonalds, and you get your food very fast. Other examples, which show how easy it is to consume Junk Food are convenience meals. When you buy a ready-made Pizza you just have to put it in the backing oven and ten minutes later it is ready to eat. This is a reason, which is quite technical.
But there is another reason for the popularity of Junk Food which exists because of the impact of Junk Food on our body. When you bite into ready-made food such as pizza, burgers or pastries, a chain reaction sets in in the body. The main ingredients of Junk Food cause a big effect on our body. Salt activates the reward center in the brain, sugar causes the blood sugar level to rise and fall again. That works up an appetite. Fat provides a good satiable feeling in the mouth. Our brain is happy and the body is electrified. This is also the feeling our brain connects with Junk Food. It is a feeling, which we would like to experience again. So we keep on eating Junk Food. Fairly long term it is quite unhealthy for our bodies. In handling with Junk Food, we should regard to not get addicted, because Junk Food is a dependence causing substance. If we eat Junk Food rarely and inappropriate amount there is no problem with it, and you can enjoy every bite. Because even though it is unhealthy Junk Food is just so yummy.
Authors M17a
Lisa Hediger, Noémie Käser