Foods that are fried or cooked in excessive quantities of oil are considered greasy food. Greasy food tends to be high in calories, unhealthy fats, refined carbohydrates, and sugar. They are also devoid of essential nutrients. Usually, greasy food is very enjoyable to eat and some might say that it is also very addictive.
Let’s take a look at the adverse effects of eating greasy food.
Causes digestive issues- Greasy foods can cause digestive issues such as bloating, stomach pain, and diarrhoea because they are high in macronutrients such as carbs, fat, and protein, which take a long time to be digested properly. And when food tends to take long time to digest and stays in our stomach, then it can lead to stomach pain, bloating, and nausea. Greasy food can also trigger cramping in people who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome.
Adversely affects our microbiome- The good bacteria present in our gut that help promote the proper production of mood hormones are negatively affected by greasy food as they do not contain healthy, nourishing fats. The high quantity of unhealthy fats present in greasy food also causes an imbalance in the fatty acids present in our body which disrupts our hormone levels.
Weight gain- Greasy foods are high in calories and unhealthy fats such as trans fats, which are linked with weight gain and obesity. Studies indicate that excessive consumption of greasy food puts us at a higher risk of obesity as it leads to rapid weight gain.
Increases cholesterol levels- Studies indicate that consumption of greasy food has several negative effects on our heart health. This is because greasy fried food increases blood pressure and lowers the levels of HDL or good cholesterol. It also leads to obesity. Collectively all of these factors are associated with an increased risk of heart disease. Usually, greasy foods also have sodium quantities which are linked with an increased risk of stroke.
Causes acne- There are many causes behind acne. However, it is also caused by hormonal imbalances and bacterial imbalance. Both of these are triggered by excessive consumption of greasy food which disrupts a healthy gut. Therefore, eating greasy food indirectly leads to acne.
Increases risk of diabetes- Studies have linked excessive consumption of fried and greasy foods with the development of type 2 diabetes. This is large because the consumption of greasy foods increases blood sugar levels, leads to weight gain, and affects the production of insulin.
Reduces nutrient intake- Frying foods or cooking them in excess oil can lower the protein and amino acid content of the food. This method of preparing food decreases the levels of micronutrients and leads to nutrient deficiency.
How can you recover after eating greasy food?
If you feel unwell after eating greasy food, then you can take the following steps to calm your gut and speed up the digestive process.
Drink hot water or green tea- Drinking a cup of hot water or green tea helps speed up the digestive process. The antioxidants present in green tea help balance the oxidative load on our digestive system.
Consume yogurt or probiotic drink- Nourish your gut with probiotic-rich foods as they will support proper bowel movement and even prevent excess gas.
Consume fibre and nutrient-rich fresh fruits and vegetables- Consuming foods that are rich in fibre, vitamins, and minerals will help negate the negative effects of greasy food on your body. It will feed the good bacteria in your stomach and make you energized.
