By definition, junk food is food with minimal essential nutrients and a lot of fat, sugar and salt, such as potato chips, candy and soda. It’s the 21st century and “junk food” has gone global. For better or for worse (mostly worse), junk food is now available all over the world.

Junk foods are low in satiation value — that is, people don’t tend to feel as full when they eat them — which can lead to overeating.

Regularly consuming high-energy-dense junk food decreases sensory-specific satiety. If you overeat consistently, can lead to health issues including weight gain and obesity

Junk food tends to be high in saturated fat and cholesterol which can lead to heart disease, diabetes and cancers.

The excess sodium that’s found in most processed food can raise your blood pressure as well as increase the chance that you will develop heart disease.

When you eat too much junk food, you may suffer from deficiencies in vitamins and minerals as junk food tends to replace other, more nutritious foods which can lower your immunity and puts you at risk for illness and infection.

If you’re nutritionally deficient, your body also can’t make the neurotransmitter serotonin, which may leave you with feelings of anxiety, depression and irritability.

Written by: Ms. Shalini Arvind
Chief Dietitian
Fortis Hospitals, Bannerghatta Road