In intimate family gatherings, fried food is often an indispensable delicacy on the table. From golden crispy fried chicken to crispy and savory fries, they always have the easy way to captivate people's taste buds. However, there is a little-known truth behind these delicacies. While they give us infinite pleasure on taste, their impact on health is a different story.
As the saying goes, "delicious is not necessarily healthy", and this is especially true for fried foods. While we often hear the advice to "eat less fried food", we rarely get to the bottom of the why. Is fried food really bad for health?
Fried foods and cardiovascular health
Fried food is to cardiovascular health what fine sand wears on machinery. Long-term consumption of fried foods, the high content of saturated fats and trans fatty acids poses a potential threat to the cardiovascular system. These fat types are metabolized in the human body and tend to cause instability in blood lipid levels, especially the increase in LDL (bad cholesterol). The accumulation of this cholesterol in the walls of blood vessels can lead to hardening of the arteries, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke.
In one study involving middle-aged and older adults, participants who regularly consumed fried foods had significantly higher rates of cardiovascular disease than those who consumed such foods occasionally or none. Especially in the last decade, the age of onset of cardiovascular disease has decreased, which is closely related to unhealthy dietary Xi, especially the widespread consumption of fried foods.
Affects obesity and metabolic disorders
There is a direct link between the high energy density in fried foods and obesity. Not only do these foods contain a lot of fat, but the absorption of fats during cooking increases their energy content substantially. Long-term intake of these high-energy foods, especially in the absence of adequate physical activity, can lead to excess energy intake, which can promote weight gain.
Obesity is a complex health problem that not only affects body morphology, but is also associated with a variety of metabolic problems, such as abnormal glucose metabolism. The high sugar and salt content in fried foods may also lead to insulin resistance, which is an important part of the abnormal development of glucose metabolism. Studies have shown that long-term high-calorie, high-fat dietary Xi is directly associated with an increased risk of abnormal glucose metabolism.
Chronic inflammation and gut health
Fried foods are not only taxing the heart and metabolic system, but may also induce chronic inflammation. Some ingredients in these foods, such as oxidized oils and fats, can produce free radicals in the body that trigger an inflammatory response. Long-term chronic inflammation can damage body tissues, including the intestinal wall.
Gut health is essential for overall health. The high-fat and low-fiber properties of fried foods can disturb the balance of intestinal microbes, thereby affecting the normal functioning of the intestines. This adverse effect can manifest as indigestion, malabsorption of nutrients, and even be associated with intestinal inflammation and certain types of intestinal diseases.
Liver burden and dysfunction
The liver, as the body's main detoxification organ, is responsible for processing and metabolizing fats. The high-fat content of fried foods poses a significant challenge to the liver. Long-term excessive intake of these foods may lead to the accumulation of fat in the liver, which can lead to fatty liver disease. In addition, certain chemicals present in fried foods may produce harmful substances during liver metabolism, increasing the risk of liver disease.
In studies of liver function, individuals who frequently consumed fried foods showed higher abnormalities in liver function indicators, indicating significant stress on the liver. Long-term stress can lead to liver inflammation, fibrosis, and even cirrhosis.