Biscuits are often seen as harmless treats which are comforting with tea and are enjoyed widely by kids and adults alike. But what really happens to your body when you add them to your diet every day?
These munchies are considered convenient, but may be silently contributing to long-term health issues. The store-bought cookies are highly processed and packed with ingredients like refined flour, palm oil and artificial preservatives that are harming your body in one way or the other.
The more you consume, the harder it becomes to stop midway. Overconsumption of cookies shows signs of weight gain, bloating, in some cases, sugar spikes and more. While an occasional consumption of biscuits might not harm you, making it a daily habit will definitely affect your heart, gut and metabolism. Here are some hidden health risks associated with the consumption of biscuits that might surprise you.
Prepared from refined white flour
Store-bought biscuits or cookies are typically prepared with all-purpose flour, which is considered unhealthy for the gut. The flour lacks micro- and macronutrients, including fibres, minerals and vitamins. This empty calorie ingredient digests quickly, which also causes rapid blood sugar spikes, leaving you hungry soon after. Consuming these empty calories can lead to issues like inflammation, weight gain, indigestion, and cardiovascular issues.
Packed with palm oil
Palm oil is one of the cheapest and most commonly used fats in cookie production. However, it is packed almost entirely with fats, which are consumed regularly. Reusing palm oil lowers its antioxidant capacity and exposes you to several heart diseases. This is one of the cheapest and unhealthiest oils, and the majority of biscuits are packed with it.
High sodium content
Even sweet biscuits are high in sodium. A 25g packet can contain around 0.4g of salt, which adds up quickly when consumed daily. Excess sodium can elevate blood pressure and increase the risk of stroke, kidney strain, and heart issues. This also causes the body to retain water, leading to visible puffiness, bloating and gradual weight gain.
Mindless eating
A study from Connecticut College in 2013 also revealed that sugary snacks like cookies activate a similar pleasure in the brain as cocaine and morphine, and this is the reason human minds never settle for one and form the habit of unconscious overeating.
Preservatives in cookies
Store-bought cookies incorporate Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). Studies suggest that both preservatives are considered harmful to human blood. While these compounds can impact health, they also cause oxidative stress. Regular exposure to these chemicals can have ill effects on the body.