Not only drugs or medical treatments can have side effects; the food we commonly eat can also impact our health. And among these side effects, some can be very serious, some unsettling, and others can make you extremely embarrassed.
Here are 10 side effects caused by common foods:
1. Body Odor
Studies have found that red meat can have an adverse effect on body odor.
2. Acne
High saturated and trans fats can increase subcutaneous fat, which can stimulate acne. Scientists point out that drinking milk frequently can also lead to a high incidence of acne.
3. Allergies
Allergies are the number one side effect of food. Theoretically, any food can cause an allergic reaction. But in fact, 90% of allergic reactions are caused by the following 8 types of food: milk, eggs, peanuts, nuts (including Brazil nuts, walnuts, almonds, and pecans), fish, shellfish, soy, and wheat.
4. Candidiasis (also known as a yeast infection)
An overgrowth of the body's natural yeast leads to a yeast infection, and food achieves this by affecting the body's yeast levels (food provides nutrition for yeast). Foods that can lead to yeast infections include: sugar, vinegar, refined carbohydrates, baking powder, and foods rich in yeast.
5. Heartburn and Acid Reflux
Many foods can cause heartburn. Some foods weaken the lower esophageal sphincter (a muscle that allows food to pass from the esophagus to the stomach), which can, in some cases, lead to higher levels of stomach acid than usual. The above situation greatly increases the chances of acid reflux. The most common foods that trigger heartburn are citrus fruits, fried and fatty foods, vinegar, tomatoes, and chocolate.
6. High Cholesterol (Hyperlipidemia)
Animal foods are relatively high in cholesterol, and consuming them can raise cholesterol levels in the human bloodstream, increasing the risk of heart disease. Related foods include: brains of cattle, pigs, and sheep; internal organs (liver, kidney, spleen); and eggs.
7. Kidney Stones
High animal protein and low fiber can lead to the formation of kidney stones. Some studies suggest that calcium intake in the diet should be increased while reducing salt and animal protein, and decreasing foods rich in oxalate, such as spinach, cocoa, nuts, chili, and tea, as their oxalate combines with calcium to form calcium oxalate precipitates that cannot be absorbed by the body and are excreted in feces.
8. Cognitive Impairment and Memory Decline
A study conducted by the medical center at Rush University in Chicago pointed out that, especially for some elderly people, if their food contains too much copper, it can slow down their learning and thinking abilities and cause a rapid decline in memory.
9. Edema
High-salt, high-sugar, and high-sodium foods can cause edema. The body needs a certain concentration of salt to maintain internal balance, but excessive salt intake raises the body's salt concentration. To dilute the excessively high salt concentration, the body retains large amounts of water, leading to edema.
10. (Migraine) Headaches
Food can trigger not only migraines but also tension-type headaches—a feeling like wearing a "tight band" around the head, causing pain throughout the entire head. It causes headaches by affecting chemicals in the brain or by chemically altering the size of blood vessels. Some people may experience more blood flowing to their brain due to high levels of the amino acid tyramine and phenylethylamine in food, leading to headaches. Common foods that can cause headaches include: aged cheese, beer, red wine, chocolate, and foods containing nitrites (such as smoked or cured meat products).