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There's nothing quite as delicious as a Big Mac from McDonald's. I mean, it's two beef patties layered with lettuce, cheese, onions, pickles and Big Mac sauce -- and, there are three buns! Though the popular fast food burger is undeniably delicious, not many people know the effect it has on their bodies. From its calories and sodium, to its ability to reprogram your brain into wanting more unhealthy foods, here's why you should choose another Mickey D's sandwich for lunch:
[Photos: Instagram]
1. It has a lot of calories
According to McDonald's, one Big Mac has 540 calories. When you combine these calories with the ones you'll be getting from the french fries and soft drink that comes with the meal, you're looking at a LOT of unhealthy calories.
2. There's a lot of sodium in there, too!
One Big Mac has 950 milligrams of sodium. That means you're getting almost 1,000 milligrams of sodium with just ONE burger. Let that sink in...
3. It raises your blood pressure to "abnormal levels"
Between the calories, sodium, 46 grams of carbs and 28 grams of fat, your Big Mac causes your blood pressure to spike in as little as 10 minutes of eating it!
4. The bun is made with high fructose corn syrup
McDonald's hamburger buns contain high fructose corn syrup and add even more sodium to your meal. These ingredients are highly addictive and can cause obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
5. It can make you dehydrated
All of that sodium in your burger can start to make you dehydrated in as little as 30 minutes after eating it. But this feeling can closely mimic the symptoms of hunger, which may make you reach for your fries instead of a glass of water.
6. It makes your heart work harder to pump blood
Having too much sodium makes it harder for your kidneys to eliminate salt. When this happens, your heart has to work harder and faster to pump blood through your veins. This can cause high blood pressure and eventually lead to heart disease and stroke.
7. It can make you crave more fast food
We know that Big Macs are high in calories and fat, but we often fail to recognize the effect it has on our cravings. Since this is such a high-calorie food, your insulin response can cause your glucose levels to drop and make you want to eat more. This will cause you to overeat and overconsume your recommended calories for the day, especially if you choose another unhealthy fast food item to snack on.
8. They can take days to digest
All of the fat, calories and sodium in your Big Mac make it a challenge to digest. It can take at least 2-3 days to fully digest your Big Mac, and that's just the burger!
9. It can cause high cholesterol
One Big Mac contains 10 grams of saturated fat, which increases your risk of developing high cholesterol if consumed often and excessively. It also puts you at risk for heart disease, too! Not to mention that it's also got 1 gram of trans fat, which the the Harvard School of Public Health says can cause heart problems later on.
