Cheeseburger
A cheeseburger is a hamburger topped with cheese. Generally, the cheese is placed on top of the meat patty, but it can include numerous variations in ingredients, structure, and composition.
There are a few theories about its origins. For example, one claims that it was first created by a chef named Lionel Sternberger, around 1925. In 2012, the biggest cheeseburger ever made was cooked in a special oven at a Minnesota casino and weighed 2,014 pounds.
Nutritional Facts
It is a source of protein, dietary fiber, vitamin A, riboflavin, thiamin, niacin, vitamin B12, folate, calcium, iron, vitamin K, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, zinc, and manganese. Also, it contains saturated fats, trans-fats, lactose, hormones, and cholesterol.
Health Benefits
Protein
It is a good source of protein, that is used by every part of the human body to grow, develop, and function healthily. Additionally, many studies concluded that eating plenty of foods high in protein can help increase muscle strength and mass.
100g contains 13g protein that is 26 percent of the daily recommended intake.
Vitamin B12
It is a water-soluble vitamin that helps keep the body’s blood cells and nerves healthy as well as it helps make deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), the genetic material in all cells.
Also, this vitamin functions as a cofactor for L-methylmalonyl-CoA mutase and methionine synthase. Very low vitamin B12 intake can cause nervous system damage, fatigue, weakness, and lightheadedness.
More importantly, adults older than 50 and individuals with digestive issues, such as celiac disease, are at higher risk for deficiency because of absorption problems.
100g contains 0,8 mcg of vitamin B12 which is approximately 14% of the daily recommended intake.
Side Effects
Sodium
If you buy it from fast food, you should know that this type of burger usually contains about 750 mg of sodium, which is 31 percent of the daily recommended intake.
The US FDA recommends 1,500 mg of sodium per day since a high-sodium diet can lead to hypertension and an increased risk of stroke, heart disease, and kidney disease.
Saturated Fats
Fast food burgers are also packed with saturated fats, especially from mayonnaise. While this translates into excess calories, it can also become another risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
Atherosclerosis
Red, processed meat is high in L-carnitine, a nutrient that is broken down by gastrointestinal microbiota to produce TMAO (trimethylamine N-oxide), a waste product.
TMAO contributes towards atherosclerosis, which, ultimately, leads to heart attacks or strokes. Moreover, a recent study that involved 148,610 participants concluded that high consumption of red meats greatly increased the risk of colorectal cancer, the 2nd leading cause of cancer death in the US.
Lactose Intolerance
Some individuals are lactose (the sugar in milk) intolerant. This means that they cannot digest properly the sugars found in milk. As a result, consumption of dairy products causes cramps, abdominal bloating, gas, diarrhea, and nausea.
In addition, the cheese in this burger can lead to large amounts of cholesterol and saturated fats in your diet. Too much cholesterol and saturated fats can cause you to develop certain cancers and heart disease as well as to gain unnecessary weight.
Cheese is also high in acids which can cause calcium deposits to build up and cause chronic inflammation.
Spaghetti
It is a form of pasta produced from water and flour and formed into solid strings. It is a popular food in traditional Italian cuisine.
Nutritional Facts
It contains dietary fiber, protein, niacin, thiamin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, vitamin B6, iron, magnesium, potassium, manganese, selenium, copper, and omega 6 fatty acids.
Health Benefits
Carbohydrates
It provides beneficial carbohydrates, the body’s primary source of energy. A cup contains about 43 grams of total carbs.
Selenium
It is a trace mineral that is a component of all known forms of life and vital for the health and well-being of human beings.
Individuals who have a regular nutrition consisting of foods rich in selenium have a reduced risk of cancer by 30%, according to a 1996 study done at the University of Arizona in Tucson.
More importantly, processed foods destroy selenium, therefore, if your daily nutrition contains this type of foods then it is likely to develop a deficiency in selenium.
100g contains 25 mcg of selenium which is 37% of the recommended daily intake.
Manganese
It is an essential nutrient for the body. Also, having many antioxidant properties, this mineral helps in controlling the movement of free radicals in the human body. This is important since free radicals can cause cell damage.
Furthermore, along with other trace elements, like boron and vanadium, manganese is vital for bone health. Manganese deficiency may cause digestive disorders, retarded growth, sexual impotence in men, and abnormal bone development.
100g contains 1,4 mg of manganese that is 69 percent of the daily recommended intake.
Side Effects
There are no scientifically proven side effects.
Cheeseburger vs Spaghetti – Which Is Worse For Your Health?
From our point of view, cheeseburger should be completely avoided or used as rare as possible due to its content of saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, food additives, as well as some harmful compounds usually found in dairy milk, including – lactose, hormones, puss, and antibiotics.
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