Junk food

Junk food is a descriptive term to refer to food that is perceived as unhealthy or low nutritional value, according to agency rules relating to food. It is believed that the term was coined by Michael Jacobson, director of the Center for Science in the Public Interest in 1972. Since then, the term has a common use. Junk food contains, in general, high levels of fat, salt or sugar and numerous food additives such as monosodium glutamate and tartrazine. At the same time, often lack of protein, vitamins and fiber, among others. This food is popular with distributors for their relatively inexpensive treatment, has a long expiration date and may not need refrigeration. It is also popular among consumers because of their ease at the time of acquiring it, does not require any preparation or is scarce, it is easy to swallow and has a wide variety of flavors. The junk food consumption is associated with obesity, heart disease, type II diabetes and tooth decay.