5 Surprising And Lesser Known Reasons You Are Packing On More Weight
Image: Shutterstock
Over the past 40 years, there has been a big change in the average weight of men and women. ‘Big’ here being the operative word. Weight gain has become an issue that we no longer must take lightly. While the most popular belief is that heavy consumption of food and lack of exercise are the actual reasons for weight gain, the problem is deeper, rooted in the content of food and lifestyle products that are available all around us. Let’s take a look.
1. Antibiotics In Food And Medicine
Weight gain has a strong and long-lasting connection with the overuse of antibiotics, the magic drugs that help curb plenty of internal health issues and infections. The overuse of antibiotics leads to a diminishing quantity of the good non-disease causing bacteria in our body. Antibiotics are also used among animals not only to fight diseases but also to act as catalysts and speed up muscle growth. The result of this is uncontrolled weight gain, no matter how many calories you intake and how much fat you burn.
2. Growth-Enhancing Drugs Used For Livestock
The practice of injecting livestock with growth-enhancing drugs is very common all around the world. These drugs are one of the biggest factors that lead to weight gain in people who consume dairy and meat products. Ractopamine is the most common beta-agonist drug that is used on these animals. Other beta-agonists are found in medications for respiratory diseases, the use of which causes weight gain typically in asthma patients.
3. Artificial Sweeteners
Artificial sweeteners may not be the weight loss wonder pills that we imagine them to be. While the content of sugar is almost nil in these synthetic sweeteners, they have grave side effects, the end result of which is weight gain. They not only cause hunger pangs at odd intervals but also increase the cravings for food containing high levels of carbohydrates. You may be avoiding sugar in your tea, but what these artificial sweeteners give in return is even worse.
4. Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals
The plate and cutlery that you use to eat your food off from may not be as sterile as you think. Endocrine disruptors are found in most of the household products, especially those used for sanitizing surfaces and other items. Endocrine disruptors are very similar to the hormone estrogen in their construction. These hormones dominate many functions of the body, weight gain being one of them. Make sure to wipe your plates and spoons the next time you sit down for a meal.
5. Stealthy Junk Food Marketing
Marketing for products in the media and supermarkets cannot be controlled. Unfortunately, the biggest subject of stealthy marketing is junk food. Be it at the cinemas, the checkout counters of your local grocery, or the bus shelter in your neighborhood, junk food like chocolates, burgers, chips, and fries are hard to miss and ignore. Children are the main targets of these sneaky marketing techniques, but adults also fall prey, leading to immense weight gain.
The best way to deal with these reasons for weight gain is to be aware of what you are consuming. The increase in the popularity of organic products is a result of the slow, but much-needed awareness being created among consumers. Try and avoid bottled and canned products as they have a high content of preservatives and artificial flavors. Our health and well-being are our greatest treasures. Protect your body from all harmful food items and chemicals for a healthy and disease-free life.
