Copyright timesnownews
A Delhi-based cardiologist has issued a stern warning to those who love eating junk food, saying the cost of it could be a staggering Rs 3 lakhs. According to Dr Shailesh Singh, eating cheap junk food and having an unhealthy lifestyle can cost you a lot of money to restore your health. Dr Singh’s health warning, served with a pinch of humour, has now gone viral across social media. Dr Singh shared that an average samosa costs Rs 20, and someone eating it regularly, or for 300 times a year for 15 years, would spend about Rs 90,000. But he warned that it is not the real expense, “You are not saving money on unhealthy food,” he wrote on X, “You are taking a loan against your arteries at 400 per cent interest.” The punchline? That loan comes due in the form of a Rs 3 lakh angioplasty. What to do instead? Dr Singh also described how you can transform your habits, which may feel difficult in the beginning but turn into daily necessities if you stick with them. “The first week of walking might feel torturous, he said, but by week 52, missing it feels wrong. The discomfort you are avoiding lasts seven days,” he reminded his followers. “The regret lasts forever. Choose your hard.” How do unhealthy habits lead to heart issues? Experts say unhealthy habits can start heart issues by causing factors like high blood pressure, clogged arteries, and high cholesterol through mechanisms such as smoking, an unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, and chronic stress. According to doctors, smoking damages artery lining and increases blood clots, while a diet high in salt, unhealthy fats, and processed foods contributes to high blood pressure and cholesterol. Also, a lack of exercise causes obesity, high blood sugar, and abnormal cholesterol levels, while chronic stress triggers inflammation and unhealthy behaviours like overeating. How does eating junk food cause heart trouble? Harvard says those who regularly consume junk food, which is high in trans fats and sugar, are at heightened risk of cardiovascular disease. However, eating foods like fruits, vegetables, and other anti-inflammatory foods reduces the risk. Doctors say diets packed with saturated fat raise the levels of low-density lipoprotein or LDL cholesterol, or ‘bad’ cholesterol. Avoid or limit the intake of junk food and other unhealthy high-cholesterol foods to reduce your risk while creating a more favourable LDL-to-HDL ratio. High-density lipoproteins (HDL), also known as ‘good’ cholesterol, help remove other types of cholesterol from your bloodstream. Elevated levels of triglycerides, another type of fat in the blood, are also a risk factor for heart disease. Junk food is a significant source of fats and sugars that raise triglycerides. Consuming fried foods like samosa is associated with an increased risk of obesity, which has been declared an epidemic irrespective of age, gender, or ethnicity. Obesity is also a major risk factor for heart disease, respiratory problems, cancer, and many serious chronic conditions.
