When it comes to following a healthy diet, smoking is considered to be one of the biggest evils risking our health. From the risk of developing cancer, cardiac complications, breathing difficulties and the danger of catching second-hand smoke, there is a very valid reason to say no to smoking. 02/10What is more dangerous than smoking? However, a new study conducted in over 195 countries has pointed out to a bigger cause of concern at hand. And, it is much worse than smoking. Wonder what it could be? According to a study conducted by the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) in Seattle, eating bad quality food is increasing the mortality rate at a higher speed than smoking. Yes, you read that right. Your addiction to junk is actually cutting short your life and compromising on your lifestyle and health. Not that junk food was ever considered a healthy food option to have, experts, have now pointed out that all those hours of binge-eating, mindless snacking and midnight cravings for chips, colas, donuts, and chocolates on a regular basis is one of the biggest threats mankind is facing and poses a grave threat to healthy living. 05/10Junk food is killing people According to a study conducted by the Seattle based Institute titled 'Global Burden of Disease', following unhealthy diets and eating bad food lacking in any nutrition causes around 11 million deaths which are easily preventable. This figure, in comparison, is much higher than deaths caused by excessive tobacco consumption. While tobacco caused over 8 million deaths in the given year, high blood pressure deaths caused by eating bad food killed around 11 million people. 06/10Young people more at risk What's more? 22% of these deaths caused by junk food consumption affected those below the age of 70. The research points out the basic evidence and reaffirms what your grandmother has been trying to tell you for ages. You are skipping out a good dose of vegetables and nutrition for cheese laden corn starch based processed food, which is never a healthy habit to have. In the absence of a healthy diet, what you risk developing is high-risk cardiac complications, heart attacks, and type-2 diabetes. The study also offered an interesting way to cut down on the risk of getting lifestyle diseases. Instead of forcing people to quit junk food and sugar completely, doctors say it would be better to promote healthy alternatives and force them to include more grains and vegetables in your diet. Another study conducted by a Harvard-based professor some months back provided another easy alternative. Restricting yourself to six french fries a day is the key to staying healthy in the long run. Talking about the same, the professor suggested that 6 pieces of fries along with a healthy salad will help balance nutrition. The study also pointed out to a far more concerning statistic. People in wealthier, more developed parts of the world tend to be unhealthier, consuming lot more meat and processed food than those living in developing parts of the world, where vegetable and grain consumption was a lot better. As compared to this mismatch, it was observed that nearly all regions across the earth saw a spike in the consumption off sugar and aerated drinks, which increased the risk for diabetes. Are you someone for whom eating becomes compulsive and uncontrollable at times? While the human body needs food to function, you are addicted to food when you become dependent on certain types of foods. This compulsive eating behaviour may be a response to emotions like stress, anger or sadness. Food addiction is not something that should be taken lightly. Several studies have now declared that food and drug addictions have much more in common than we realise. The way they both disrupt with the parts of the brain involved in self-control and pleasure is the same. Sounds scary? Take this short quiz to see if your ice cream binge might qualify as an addiction. readmore Some people always carry a packet of potato chips wherever they go and some can’t let the ice cream brick stay in the freezer for more than a day. Answer below the questions to know what kinds of foods trigger you and what you need to avoid. 03/13Do you reach for one biscuit and the packet is empty before you know it? Can you control your food intake during meals, but lose it soon after you start snacking, especially on chips? Do you feel tired all the time? There are things you would love to do, but can’t because you do not have the energy? Do you snack all day? From chips, doughnuts to candies, you do not let your vending machine rest? Did you answer YES to more than one question?