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Health Dangers of Fast Foods

Fast food is made and marketed to appeal to the senses, with mouthwatering aromas and enticing juices and textures. Many people choose fast foods because they require no time to prepare, are available nearly anywhere, are easy to eat on the run and are relatively inexpensive. However, fast food can have a high price when it comes to health, and over-consumption can lead to a variety of health problems.

  1. Obesity

    • According to the Mayo Clinic, one in three American adults is obese. Obesity can lead to serious health problems, including diabetes and heart disease. Obesity results from eating more calories than are burned over a long period of time. The Mayo Clinic identifies fast food as a factor directly causing obesity. Many fast food choices are high in calories, and the portions are larger than the recommended serving size. Consumers might not be aware of this when ordering a meal. For example, a McDonald's Double Quarter Pounder with cheese contains 770 calories and 100 percent of the recommended daily allowance of saturated fat. If eaten with a large regular soft drink and order of fries, this meal provides nearly all the calories an average adult should consume in an entire day.

    High Cholesterol

    • Many fast foods are high in cholesterol, which contributes to the formation of plaque in arteries and can lead to heart disease. The McDonald's Double Quarter Pounder with cheese sandwich contains 165 milligrams of cholesterol, which is 55 percent of the recommended daily allowance of cholesterol for the average adult. Fast foods are often high in saturated and trans fats, which can also increase the chances of developing high cholesterol and heart disease, according to the National Library of Medicine.

    High Blood Pressure

    • According to the American Heart Association, high blood pressure contributes to the development of heart disease and stroke. To continue with the McDonald's Double Quarter Pounder with cheese example, this food contains 1,440 milligrams of sodium, which is 60 percent of the recommended daily allowance of sodium for the average adult. Paired with a large order of fries, which contain 15 percent of the recommended daily allowance of sodium, a person has consumed three-quarters of their day's sodium in one meal. Condiments eaten on fast food, such as pickles, mustard and ketchup also contain high amounts of sodium and can further contribute to high blood pressure.

    Food Borne Illness

    • Animals processed into meat for use in fast food restaurants are slaughtered at a fast pace in mass quantities. At times, accidents on the processing line result in contents of the animal's bowels mixing with the meat, according to Natural News. Fecal contamination of meats can result in bacteria such as E. coli getting into food intended for human consumption. At the restaurant, if the food is not properly cooked and kept heated, people can become seriously ill from eating the meat.

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