Popular fast foods under scanner for diabetes and heart health risks

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Fast food has become an integral part of people's lives these days. When hungry, people purchase items like momos, chow mein, pizza, and burgers. These items are certainly tempting to taste, but they can also pose a significant threat to our health.

A recent study has revealed that people living in areas where fast food joints are readily available have a significantly increased risk of type 2 diabetes and obesity. This study was conducted in several areas of Chennai, and the results are quite surprising.

Research has shown that people living within 400 meters of their homes with fast food joints like momo and chow mein tend to eat outside more frequently. Their intake of nutritious home-cooked meals gradually decreases. Consuming outside food regularly leads to the accumulation of fat in the body, leading to obesity and imbalanced blood sugar levels. This increases the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Momos and chow mein may taste delicious, but they contain large amounts of refined flour, refined oil, and excess salt. Refined flour rapidly raises blood sugar levels, increasing the body's insulin requirement. Repeated exposure to this much insulin can lead to insulin resistance, which can lead to diabetes. Furthermore, consuming excess oil and salt increases the risk of heart disease and high blood pressure.

This problem isn't limited to adults. Research has also revealed that the presence of fast food stalls near schools and colleges is rapidly increasing obesity among children and youth. Today's children are eating momos and chow mein every other day. This causes their bodies to absorb calories quickly, leading to weight gain, and blood sugar levels becoming unbalanced. Children are at risk of insulin resistance and diabetes at an early age.

Consuming fast food regularly not only affects weight and blood sugar, but also impacts mental health. Oily and salty foods cause energy imbalances in the body, leading to fatigue, poor concentration, and sleep deprivation in children and young adults. This is why scientists have described fast food as not just a filling food but a serious threat to health.

But it is possible to prevent this. The most important thing is to maintain balance in our eating habits. Eat things like momos, chow mein and burgers only once or twice a month. Make it a habit to eat fresh and nutritious home-cooked food, which includes lentils, vegetables, rice, roti and fruits. Do at least thirty minutes of light exercise daily. This will burn calories and keep blood sugar under control. Apart from this, getting adequate sleep is also very important, because lack of sleep can also cause obesity and diabetes in the body.