Final Assignment of English IV ; Natania (1751013)

Bad Things about Fast Food

Fast Food -- Taste that is addictive, affordable prices, easy to get from fast food has attracted many people. There is food served by restaurants or fast food in the form of packaging. Though the dangers lurking behind fast food, have a huge danger opportunity. The results of a study reported by CNN revealed the chemical content of phthalates in fast food that has the potential to damage the hormone.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), instant food is closely related to obesity. The researchers found an association between the amount of fast food consumed with the level of phthalates in the urine. The more fast food is consumed, the higher the content of phthalates in the urine. Phthalates affect the reproductive organs of women, and endanger pregnant women. Therefore, it is recommended not to eat fast food, but foods labeled "natural". Phthalates have been shown to affect the body including brain development, thus affecting bad behavior. High phthalate levels are also closely related to the risk of diabetes in women and adolescents. The problem is, phthalates are difficult to avoid, given their widespread presence, from soap, perfume, nail polish, medicines, and food packaging.

Then there are moreover the health hazards that might arise from eating too much instant food

1. Increased Risk of Diabetes

Fast food has a high calorie content and has nutrients that are very little or almost nonexistent. Fast food contains a lot of sugar and saturated fat, even trans fat. And this is closely related to the risk of  diabetes. Research conducted in Singapore about people's eating habits there, and researchers found that those who like fast food have a higher risk of diabetes and coronary heart disease. Eating too much sugar and refined carbohydrates causes the body to produce extra insulin. As a result, sensitivity to insulin drops and the body cannot process glucose properly. Excess residual glucose in the blood will trigger inflammation and  diabetes.

2. Fast Food Contribute to Obesity

Obesity increases the risk of  diabetes, heart disease, stroke and certain types of cancer. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association in 2014, one third of the population in the United States can be categorized as obese. A study published in the American Economic Journal 2010 states that, in the United States, having fast food restaurants within 0.16 km of school, cases of obesity in adolescents have increased by 5.2 percent. Pregnant women who live within 0.81 km of fast food restaurants are more at risk of getting excessive weight.

3. Trans fat, salt and low nutrition

Food and Drug Administration has called for a ban on the use of trans fats in food, and usually this policy affects the food industry throughout the world, but in reality there are still many fast food restaurants that provide food containing trans fat. Trans fat is very dangerous because it increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke. Trans fat increases levels of bad cholesterol, or low-density lipoprotein, and lowers good cholesterol.  Fast food and instant food also tend to be low in fiber, essential vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients that you will easily get from fresh vegetables, fruits and grains.

The increasing population of the Earth and the demands of everyday life are fast, making fast food an option. However, it is common knowledge that fast food is not a healthy food if consumed continuously. If you think that the consequences of eating fast food too often only increase your weight, you are wrong. A number of these countries are even listed as consuming the most fast food in the world. As quoted from the page Therichest.com, here are 5 lists:

1. United States of America

The United States is in the first position as the country consuming the most fast food in the world. Many families in the US spend 50 percent of their total income in one month only for fast food. Although there have been efforts for fast food companies that offer healthy menus, the industry is still blamed for the increase in the number of people who are obese. A number of fast food restaurants such as McDonald's, Burger King, Subway to Wendy's are very popular.

2. France

France is known as a country with tasty and delicious menu dishes. A number of expensive restaurants in the world also exist in this country. In the past, France experienced an explosion in fast food. The number of fast food restaurants in this country is up 14 percent from 2017. The rising level of consumption of fast food in this country occurs because there is a decrease in lunch time to 22 minutes.

3. Canada

The third position is occupied by Canada. The most prominent fast food company in Canada is Tim Hortons. McDonald's and Subway also exist in that country. Canadians favorite food when they hear the word fast food are burgers, chicken and ice cream.

4. England

Britain is also among those who consume the most fast food. Due to concerns about the health of its citizens, a number of food companies made agreements. McDonalds, KFC until Burger King signed up in a public health responsibility agreement. They must display calorie information from all products sold on the menu board.

5. South Korea

The fifth position is South Korea. South Korea is an Asian country that is among the top five whose citizens consume fast food. This apparently happened because South Korea had experienced problems of uncertainty arising from the economic crisis. This condition then forced its citizens to eat cheap food.

The easiest way to reduce the health effects of fast food is to eliminate it from your routine and to choose homemade foods consisting of protein, fresh vegetables, whole grains and low-fat milk. If you are forced to choose fast food, ask for nutritional information from the available menus. Choose low calories, fat and sodium. The same rule applies to instant food.