5 habits that are secretly making you unhealthy
WE all have that one thing that we have been told is bad for our health — an addiction that we can’t seem to break. But there are other everyday guilty pleasures that might be just as bad as the bad habit we can readily identify.
Being unhealthy is not only about guzzling down soda or scarfing down processed foods, and completely ignoring your body’s warning sings may bring huge consequences in the long run.
Here are five habits that may be secretly making you unhealthy.
Drinking soda
Yes, it is cheaper than buying fruit drink, and you may prefer anything with a little flavour and fizz over drinking water. But the consumption of soda can contribute to a number of health challenges such as weight gain, poor dental health, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. The caffeine in soda is also linked to increase in the heart rate, making heart attacks and strokes more prevalent.
Eating too much salt
According to the American Heart Association, the body requires a balance in the salt and water contents to work properly. An excessive use of salt can upset the balance in the body, which may cause you to retain water. This leads to pressure on vital organs such as the heart and blood vessels, and in some instances, raised blood pressure.
Drinking little or no water
The body requires water to get rid of toxic substances, and to regulate temperature. Many people are sabotaged by sweeteners, and avoid water because they are addicted to the burst of flavours on the taste buds. But temporary satisfaction may lead to permanent misery. Depriving the body of water and not drinking enough water, according to The American Institute of Medicine, is a major contributor to constipation. It may also cause body cells to feed on other fluids in the body causing it to shut down, increase headaches, joint and muscle pain, as well as lead to dull and brittle nails.
Eating straight from the pack
Eating snacks straight from the packet, especially when eating alone, can cause you to eat more than you intended to. You may eat more than a serving of a food that is already too high in calories, additives and sugars. Excessive amounts of calories and sweets can lead to obesity and disrupt weight loss goals without you realising.
Eating late at night
Eating late at night occasionally is pardonable; however, it becomes problematic when people begin to make a habit of it. According to the Mayo Clinic, a common result of eating late at night is insomnia. This happens because the body is still at work trying to digest the food while you are trying to fall asleep. Other effects of late night eating include weight gain and heartburn.
–PH
