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Health

It’s not just the fat … more reasons why a Western diet could be bad for you

By Meera Senthilingam, CNN
Updated 5:38 PM EDT, Mon June 6, 2016
Link Copied!
The Western diet is spreading across the world. It's characterized by a high intake of red meat, refined sugars and saturated fat -- but little fiber.
The Western diet is spreading across the world. It's characterized by a high intake of red meat, refined sugars and saturated fat -- but little fiber.
Getty Images
A common feature of Western diets is processed fast food. Here's a pepperoni pizza high in fat and carbohydrates and topped with cured, processed meat.
A common feature of Western diets is processed fast food. Here's a pepperoni pizza high in fat and carbohydrates and topped with cured, processed meat.
Getty Images
Candy bars have been highlighted as a key example of processed foods. Ingredients such as fructose and palmitic acid may initiate a low-level immune response in the body, distracting the immune system from other infections.
Candy bars have been highlighted as a key example of processed foods. Ingredients such as fructose and palmitic acid may initiate a low-level immune response in the body, distracting the immune system from other infections.
Thinkstock
Some studies have linked eating too much red meat with a <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2012/03/12/health/red-meat-shorten-lifespan/">shortened life span</a>.<br />
Some studies have linked eating too much red meat with a shortened life span.
Comstock
Sugary drinks are the epitome of the fast-food diet. Their high sugar content increases the likelihood of obesity, diabetes and other health conditions.
Sugary drinks are the epitome of the fast-food diet. Their high sugar content increases the likelihood of obesity, diabetes and other health conditions.
Ferre Dollar/CNN
The Mediterranean diet is renowned for its health benefits. It contains low levels of red meat, sugar and saturated fats and is high in fish and unsaturated fats such as olive oil, fruits, vegetables and legumes.
The Mediterranean diet is renowned for its health benefits. It contains low levels of red meat, sugar and saturated fats and is high in fish and unsaturated fats such as olive oil, fruits, vegetables and legumes.
CNN
Diets with little fruit and vegetables can be low in vitamins, minerals and fiber crucial to growth and health.
Diets with little fruit and vegetables can be low in vitamins, minerals and fiber crucial to growth and health.
SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images
The Japanese diet is also known for its healthy components -- high in soy protein and vegetables.
The Japanese diet is also known for its healthy components -- high in soy protein and vegetables.
Brian Mac
Diets on the southern Japanese Okinawa Islands contain large amounts of fish, whole grains, soy protein and vegetables.
Diets on the southern Japanese Okinawa Islands contain large amounts of fish, whole grains, soy protein and vegetables.
istockphoto
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