Life would be dull without the golden crunch of pakoras, samosas, French fries, and those puffed-up pooris and kachoris.
But why is it that the tastiest foods always have a secret plan against your health? No matter how healthy something is, deep-frying it still poses some health risks.
Read on to discover why fried food tastes amazing and what happen when we eat lot of fried food.
Why Does Deep-Fried Food Taste Heavenly?
Our brains are evolutionarily wired to crave high-calorie foods to store energy for survival. That’s one reason why we’re triggered to seek out high-carb, high-fat foods when stressed.
So much so that the signature crunchiness and crispiness of fried foods, with their soft, juicy insides, have become our weakness today.
Food chain companies are well aware of this and keep experimenting with various frying techniques to make fried foods increasingly addictive, which makes you go, “I’ll have one more…”
Here is a list of fried foods that often feel irresistible, including fries, tempura, spring rolls, crispy momos, crispy onion rings, and more.
Why Are Fried Foods Unhealthy?
Deep frying soaks up a lot of oil and trans fats that can do more harm to your body internally than just weight gain. Here’s how it ruins your health:
- Leads to Weight Gain: Oil is fat, and when your food is soaked in oil, you’re gobbling a lot more fat than you realise. This turns every bite into a calorie bomb, making it hard for you to lose weight.
- Releases Toxins: When oils are overheated or reused, they release toxins that can enter your bloodstream. Each time the oil is reheated, its trans fat content increases.
- Causes Metabolic Health Disorders: Overconsumption of fried foods increases harmful cholesterol levels, which may clog arteries and multiply the risks of heart stroke. Excess cholesterol also amounts to weight gain and is linked to diabetes, fatty liver, hypertension, thyroid problems, and PCOS.
- Leads to Inflammation and Oxidative stress: Beyond your waistline, fried foods can trigger inflammation in the body and release free radicals, the little molecules that damage cells over time.
A study as per NCBI showed that those who eat fried food 7 times or more per week were 55% more likely to get type 2 diabetes. Other oily food side effects also include acne, dull skin, acid reflux, and digestive issues.
Is Air Fried Food Healthy Then?
Many are aware of the fried food side effects of a lot of oily fried food, which is why they’re switching to air fryers.
Air fryers are indeed much healthier than deep frying, as they can reduce the oil absorption by 80%. They also release less harmful chemicals, such as acrylamide.
However, it’s not all brighter this side. Studies on air-fried potato fries have shown that at higher temperatures and longer air-frying times (180-200°C for 12-24 mins), the formation of Maillard hazards, such as acrylamide, increases significantly. This holds true for high-starch foods, and acrylamide production may vary for other foods.
Nevertheless, deep frying still ranks as the worst method, as hot oil directly contacts the food, leading to more rapid chemical reactions. So, yes, air frying is much healthier.
To Sum Up
Fried foods can be difficult to resist for some, but their frequent consumption can sabotage your health. They contain too much oil, reheating or deep frying can release harmful chemicals, and lead to conditions such as diabetes, clogged arteries, stroke, weight gain, fatty liver, etc.
Next time, you’re having those crispy munchies, call, pick quality over quantity and keep your portions small. If possible, switch to less harmful cooking methods, such as air frying, shallow frying, or sautéing. Keep these in mind, and you can enjoy both taste and good health.
Frequently Askes Questions Related to Fried Foods
Can I eat fried food and still be healthy?
Yes. You can enjoy fried snacks in a healthy way if you:
- Limit its intake and frequency (once a month or so)
- Use oils with high smoke points (avocado, safflower, peanut, canola, and sunflower oils)
- Avoid reheating or reusing oil
- Pair with veggies or protein for balance
What is unhealthy about fried food?
Fried food is considered unhealthy because it absorbs harmful fats and forms toxic compounds at high heat that can damage your heart and degrade overall health.
Is fried food once a week ok?
Yes. Fried food should be okay once a week. Make sure it is made with good-quality, fresh oil, and consume it in moderation.
Is there any benefit to fried food?
Fried foods taste good with enhanced flavour and texture that feels addictive. Fried food is also broken down well for easy digestion, but that may not be true for everyone. Ultimately, the side effects of fried foods outweigh the benefits, and it is better not to have them too often.
