Immune systems go haywire when mice are fed fast food, causing an “explosion” of inflammation

Fast food is unhealthy; it’s loaded with salt, sugar and fat — and a whole lot of calories. It’s often pretty low in essential nutrients, as well. It’s well documented that fast food should be consumed in moderation, if at all. Indeed, most people know that takeaway meals aren’t ideal, but a recent study has shed light on just how bad going to the drive-thru really is for your health.

As it turns out, fast food doesn’t just contribute to inflammation and disease: It can actually provoke lasting (and damaging) changes to your immune system. Eating a diet laden with refined sugars, saturated fat and salt actually promotes the immune system to act as if there is an infection somewhere in the body, according to lead researcher Dr. Eicke Latz. Dr. Latz is the Director of the Institute for Innate Immunity of the University of Bonn.