You may recall that in "Super Size Me," documentarian Morgan Spurlock explored the effects of consuming a diet consisting solely of fast food from McDonald's. He decided to eat only McDonald's food three times a day for 30 days while following certain rules like always accepting the option of "supersizing" his meals whenever offered. He documents the effects of this diet on his physical and mental health, as well as on his weight and general well-being.
The film received critical acclaim and sparked public discussions about the health impacts of fast food, leading to changes in the fast-food industry, such as the introduction of healthier menu options and the discontinuation of the "supersize" option in some fast-food chains.
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Throughout the film, medical professionals monitored Spurlock's weight and blood health. At the start of the experiment, Spurlock weighed 185 pounds with a body mass index (BMI) of 23.2, which is considered healthy.
After just a few days of consuming only fast food, Spurlock began to experience negative health effects. He gained a significant amount of weight, and his BMI increased to 25.5, which is considered overweight. By the end of the experiment, he had gained 24.5 pounds, and his BMI increased to 30, or obese.
In addition to the weight gain, Spurlock's blood health also deteriorated over the course of the experiment. His cholesterol levels increased by 65 points, and his liver function tests showed signs of damage akin to that of an alcoholic. He experienced dramatic mood swings, headaches, and decreased energy levels. He would get flat-out hangry when he'd gone more than a few hours with his Mc-y-D fix, and then upon diving into a Big Mac, he'd be as mollified as a heroine junking staving off the demons.
But did Spurlock prove that all fast food is unhealthy, or did he highlight the deleterious effects of highly refined carbohydrates, the industrial byproduct of seed oils, and the chemical cocktail of preservatives?
One of the most intriguingly disturbing parts of the documentary was when Spurlock purchased an order of McDonald's fries and kept them in a container for 10 weeks to see how long they would last without molding or decomposing. He stored the fries in the container at room temperature and did not add any preservatives or chemicals to the fries. He also did not open the container or disturb the fries in any way. After 10 weeks, Spurlock checked the fries and found that they had not molded or decomposed whatsoever.
Well, I think we have our answers, as this chap loses weight, experiences no loss in athletic performance (rock climbing), and generally maintains similar blood health (with a remarkable improvement in triglycerides).
