A recent study conducted by the University of Bonn has discovered that unhealthy/junk food leads people to being aggressive in the long term. When we start consuming more junk food, our immune system reacts similarly to a high fat or high calorie which that particular food contains. Also, it is compared similarly to a bacterial infection. These long-term changes may be involved in the development of arteriosclerosis and diabetes, diseases linked to the western diet. 

Generally, we have been addicted to junk food or say western food as we mostly love eating at restaurants more than in our homes. Our taste buds enjoy more spicy, crispy and oily foods rather than simple normal food. We don’t realize how it can affect our health if we consume junk food on a regular basis. In one hand we are spending more while also eating unhealthy. It’s high time we think and try to change our eating habits in time before we are surrounded with many ailments. 

To find out the truth clearly about the effect of consuming junk food, scientists at the University of Bonn conducted a research by placing mice for a month or a so on a ‘Western diet’: that was high in fat and sugar, and low in fiber and the result were surprising. The animals consequently developed a strong inflammatory response throughout the body, almost like after infection with dangerous bacteria. “The unhealthy diet led to an unexpected increase in the number of certain immune cells in the blood of the mice, especially granulocytes and monocytes. This was an indication for an involvement of immune cell progenitors in the bone marrow,” the study said. 

Therefore, consumption of fast/junk food or say unhealthy eating habits in general seems to be very dangerous knowing about its long term effect. So, it’s very important to give attention to what we are eating as “we are what we eat” in regards to our physical structure or mental well being. 

Pahari is a Communications and Branding team member at Group for Technical Assistance Nepal.