What you have to keep in mind is that the effects of a bad diet will creep up on you slowly. That means that while you can probably eat poorly for a few months (or sometimes a few years) without feeling immediate consequences, besides maybe some weight gain, eventually you will see your health deteriorate much faster than normal. The following diseases are directly linked to poor food choices:

 

 

Heart disease is the nation’s number one killer for both men and women. Most heart diseases are triggered by several factors working together, like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, and inactivity. All these factors can be improved by lifestyle changes especially by improving your diet.

 

 

 

Although the genes you inherit may influence your likelihood of you getting Type 2 diabetes, the disease is also considered a lifestyle disease because it that can be avoided or at least kept in check through monitoring your weight, nutrition and exercise. Vice versa a bad diet will inevitably increase your chances of suffering from diabetes even if you have been blessed with good genes.

 

One study found that just by losing 5 to 7 percent body weight while also following a more balanced diet people with prediabetes were able to prevent or delay the onset of the disease.

 

 

 

High blood pressure can lead to heart attack, stroke, heart failure, or kidney failure. It is often caused by buildup in your arteries that can enlarge and harden over time to form plaque. Plaque stiffens the arteries and narrows the passages through them. As a result, blood pressure rises. A more balanced diet with a focus on healthy fats, vegetables and fruits can often reduce high blood pressure and the risks associated with it.

 

 

 

While some cholesterol is needed for the formation of cell membranes, some hormones, and vitamin D, a relative increase in LDL to HDL cholesterol is often linked to health problems. LDL cholesterol can collect in the walls of your blood vessels, which can potentially lead to blockages. Higher levels of LDL therefore often raise your chances of a heart attack.

 

 

 

The older we get the weaker our bones become. In fact, about half of the women over 50 and one quarter of men have osteoporosis. An important mineral in the fight against osteoporosis is calcium, which can be obtained from dairy products and leafy green vegetables. One problem is however that a calcium deficiency is difficult to detect so make sure to include these foods in your diet or to supplement calcium.

 

 

 

And lastly, cancer. A healthy and balanced diet is extremely important in the prevention of cancer. Estimates go as far as to say that up to 30 percent of cancers in developed countries can be linked to poor nutrition, obesity, and lack of exercise. While we still cannot pinpoint one exact cause of the disease, it makes sense to stay fit and healthy to decrease all these risk factors.