Gobbling Down Food Increases Risk of Heart Attack, Obesity & Stroke

Most of Us Eat Food Rapidly Without Understanding its Consequences

In this fast-paced fast food world, relishing every mouthful of food and eating it languidly has become confined to special occasions. A new study suggests that taking time to chew every bite of what you eat and enjoying it thoroughly can be the secret to a healthier heart and a slimmer waistline. Maybe now, all of us would try to start eating food at a slower pace! Isn’t it better than sweating out vigorously at the gym to become slim?

Researchers quote that individuals who eat slowly and mindfully are less likely to add extra kilograms or suffer from metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is the name given for a group of dangerous heath problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity that can cause severe damage to the heart. More information on metabolic syndrome-its causes, symptoms and treatment options are available at the website www.firsteatright.com.

The Study
The study included more than 1,000 middle-aged men and women who were followed for five years with their eating speed and health monitored constantly. At the end of the study they found that, only 2.3% of slow eaters developed symptoms of metabolic syndrome during the study period compared to 6.5% of medium-paced eaters and 11.6% of fast eaters. This shows that fast eaters are five times at a greater risk of developing a heart attack, diabetes or stroke than slow eaters.

Scientists believe that gobbling down food prevents the brain from realizing that the body has taken too many calories. The excess calories are stored as fat which puts pressure on the heart. Eating too quickly can also spike blood sugar levels and stop the insulin from working efficiently.

Diabetes, high blood sugar levels and obesity can cause damage to the blood vessels independently, but having all three together is extremely dangerous.
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What Can be Done?

1. Take time to eat your meal instead of eating them at your desk rapidly or grabbing a snack on your way to office or back home.
2. Eat healthy meals that are well-balanced instead of going for ready meals or takeaways.
3. Overweight increases the risk of ischaemic stroke by 22% and obesity increases the risk by 64%. Tackling these weight issues is mandatory to prevent the risk of stroke due to obesity. Eat a well-balanced nutritious meal, do physical exercise regularly and have your blood pressure checked often to lower the risk of stroke.