Today, when obesity is on the rise globally, researchers are looking into factors that are making people fat and, therefore, giving rise to health problems. In case you are wondering about the link between processed foods and obesity, this article will take a look into how these are making you fat.
Processed Foods Are High in Calories
Foods which have been processed have higher calorie content than non-processed foods and, therefore, make you fat. The higher calorie factor of these can be attributed to a variety of reasons, including fat, sugar, sodium, preservatives, additives and various other chemicals.
Includes High Fructose Corn Syrup and Sugar
Processed foods are rich in high-fructose corn syrup and sugar, which makes them fattening. It is a well-known fact that sugar is loaded with empty calories and offers no nutrition to the body. Research suggests that excessive sugar consumption is linked with weight gain and is also one of the reasons that can be attributed to rising obesity.
However, excessive sugar consumption has effects that go way beyond adding empty calories to the body. Research suggests excessive sugar consumption is also linked with detrimental effects on the metabolism, besides promoting fat accumulation in the abdominal cavity and liver. Therefore, sugar consumption is not merely akin to empty calories but also to increased fat storage in the body.
Processed Food Causes Over-Eating
Do you know that processed foods actually lead to overconsumption of food in individuals, thus making them fat? They contain a number of additives, chemical and preservatives that add flavor to the food. Moreover, these foods are also addictive in nature which means once you have tasted them, you feel like consuming them again and again. Research further suggests these foods are rewarding for our brains and though temporarily, make us feel good. It further suggests these foods also affect our behavior along with our thoughts, causing us to consume more.
High in Refined Carbohydrates
Processed foods are also rich in refined carbohydrates that are known to cause weight gain in individuals. Refined carbohydrates burn quickly in the body and therefore provide energy for only a short period of time. After the refined carbs are burned, your body feels hungry quickly following their consumption and you are thus induced to eat once again. This increased food consumption owing to the refined carbohydrates in these foods can also make you fat.
High in Trans Fats Content
Processed foods are also high in trans fats content as they are usually made using cheap vegetable oils and therefore add a lot of unhealthy calories to the food.
Processed foods are thus loaded with a number of factors that make them an unhealthy food option. Undoubtedly, the growing consumption of these foods is a significant cause that can attribute to growing obesity and health problems around the world.
