The evolving world around us is experiencing a speedy urbanization. With over 50 percent of the world’s population currently residing in cities, the amount is likely to reach 70% by 2050. Henceforth, the advancement brings with it an urban lifestyle — often meaning less physical activity and a higher ingesting of a “Western” diet.
As incomes soars globally, people choose more calories and meat in their diet, stated David Tilman, a professor of Ecology at the University of Minnesota. The outcome of such diet is potentially dangerous to health and increases the risk of various diseases.
Ian Myles, from the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases stated that the key features of a Western diet are usually overconsumption of over-refined sugars, extremely refined and drenched fats, animal protein and a decreased ingestion of plant-based fibers. These leads to a diet high in fat, red meat, salt and sugars, and low fiber intake.
Myles states that the main culprits in western diet are those that contains fructose and palmitic acid — ingredients mostly present in candy bars. These can kick-start an immune reaction and confuses the body that blunders it as bacteria such as E.coli. Consequently, the system activates an immune spell against the supposed bacteria, which results in a low level of inflammation. Disrupting the immune system in such ways means that the immune cells are not going to be as ready to defend itself and attack when faced with an actual infection.
According to Myles, a variation in diet to eliminate exposure to these food components can bring back immune activity to its normal state.
Jeremy Nicholson, head of the department of surgery and cancer at Imperial College London informed that everyone carries nearly 1kg of microbes inside their system. Body’s gut microbes are deeply associated with the control of the immune system, which in return controls inflammation. Eating processed foods usually terminates the good bacteria in a person’s gut and pushes it out. This leaves the consumer more vulnerable to the bad bacteria.
The worldwide upsurge in fatty diets and calories leads to a higher rate of obesity and diabetes rise quickly around the globe. “There is soaring obesity,” says Nicholson.
Evidently, diet acts as a key part in the health of a population and when it comes to improving personal health, experts pressure the need for people to reflect on what they are eating. Tilman states that it is a voluntary choice that people will have to make in order for a healthier lifestyle.
