HealthEating red meat and sugar? The silent killers lurking in your diet

Eating red meat and sugar? The silent killers lurking in your diet

It's better to limit the consumption of red meat.
It's better to limit the consumption of red meat.
Images source: © Getty Images | Dimitrie Ragar / 500px

1:56 PM EST, January 10, 2024

Dietitians caution that the consistent consumption of red meat (especially when fried or processed), can have a harmful effect on our bodies. These products contain substantial amounts of detrimental saturated fats, which elevate the level of bad LDL cholesterol in the blood, leading to clogged veins and arteries.

An imbalanced lipid profile contributes to the formation of atherosclerotic changes, increasing the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and coronary diseases.

Excess sugar

Foods high in sugar deliver empty calories and promote weight gain, often causing overweight and obesity issues. Additionally, consuming excessive sugar and high fructose corn syrup can lead to the development of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and dental cavities.

It's important to note that in cookies, candy bars, commercially prepared baked goods, and sweet desserts, besides the so-called "white death", we can also find dangerous trans isomers. Ingesting this type of fatty acids is a key factor contributing to the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Fast Food

Regular consumption of fast food, including burgers, fries, and nuggets, has a negative impact on our circulatory system. As per the data from the American Heart Association, even a single fast food meal per week raises the risk of premature death from coronary heart disease by 20%.

Meanwhile, consuming fast food 2-3 times a week elevates the risk of potentially fatal cardiac events by 50%. Remarkably, at least four visits a week to such venues increase this risk to 80%.

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