Every junk food meal damages your arteries

A single junk food meal- with saturated fat-is detriental to the health of the arteries, while no damage occurs after consuming a Mediterranean meal rich in good fats such as mono-and polyunsaturated fatty acids, according to a study by the University of Montreal.

     The study was based on 28 men, who ate Mediterranean- type meal first and then junk food -type meal one week later. Before beginning, the men underwent an ultrasound of the antecubital artery at the elbow crease after fasting for 12-hours to assess their baseline endothelial function.

     Then they tested the effects of each meal. The first consisted of which 51 per cent of calories from monounsaturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fats. The second consisted of 58 percent of calories from fat: extermely rich in saturated fatty acids and containing no omega-3s. The researchers found that after eating the junk food meal, the arteries of the study participants dilated 24 percent less than they did when in the fasting state. In contrast, the arteries were found to dilate normally and maintain good blood flow after the Mediterranean- type meal.