The term, “Junk”, literally means something useless and worth throwing out. Simply putting, junk food is something, which is useless for the body. Various studies have shown that this type of food is not only useless but harmful as well. Over the past few decades, along with development, increasing affluence and hectic urban schedules there has been increase in the use of junk food, all over the world. Nobody has the time to prepare, fresh whole meals at home. Long distances, make it difficult for people in big cities to go home for lunch. Hence majority of the working people take to eating fast food in canteens/ restaurants during the day. They mostly eat burgers, sandwiches, fried potatoes, e.t.c. Tastes of children and youngsters have also changed. Burgers and fries, instant ready to eat chips, noodles and puddings, have become favorite meals for children and teenagers. Elders also like to eat this stuff because of the convenience involved. But now scientific studies have demonstrated the health hazards of these fast foods. It is not few individuals but people as whole who are suffering from adverse health due to junk food. Junk or fast food is tasty, and does not need much efforts in preparation. It is easy to store for many days. Multiple chemicals are involved in processing and preserving it. Fried foods have lot of saturated fats which are harmful. The good taste in fries, comes from hydrogenated fats. These fats lead to obesity, hypertension, diabetes and heart diseases. Increasing obesity among children, worldwide, is due to consumption of this kind of food. White sugar used in many fast foods, is a source of obesity and has no nutritional value. Thus it accelerates deposition of fat on inner layer of blood vessels, hence increasing risk for cardiovascular diseases. It also damages the teeth and is a risk factor for diabetes as well. Studies suggest that using fast food recurrently leads to altered brain activity similar to abusive substances, thus one becomes addicted to them. Artificial sweeteners like saccharin and aspartame are implicated in producing cancer. Monosodium glutamate (MSG), used in ready to eat instant foods and snacks, is known to be a cancer producing substance. Other chemicals used are also carcinogenic Junk foods are also implicated in causing liver diseases, due to direct damage to the liver. The wide range of chemicals used as food preservatives, additives, flavoring and coloring agents are a source of allergy in susceptible people. Various kinds of chemicals used in fast foods, reduce the immunity of the body (ability to fight and kill infectious germs). That is why that in spite of so much advancement in medical science and technology, there are outbreaks of infectious diseases, even in developed countries. Recently covid19 pandemic has caused havoc worldwide and now W.H.O., has issued alert for Monkey Pox. Junk food is low in fiber content as compared to fresh food. Therefore it is poorly digested and leads to problems of indigestion. Due to good business strategies of the concerned companies, fast foods are advertised as being nutritious. Due to ignorance, people consume them with no inkling as to what is happening to their health. Mothers fondly give such foods to their children considering that it will make them strong, but in reality, they are harmful. Nutritionally, freshly prepared food is far superior to fast food. Many essential minerals and trace elements cannot be supplemented by artificial means, i.e. like by fortified foods. Therefore it is high time that people become aware of the health hazards of fast food. It is O.K. to eat it once a while for a change. But by consuming it very frequently, after some time, one spoils his/her health apart from the money spent. Dr. Rachna Pande is a Specialist Internal medicine E-mail –rachna212002@yahoo.co.uk
