Step away from the burger: Why a 'Western' diet is bad for your health

Meera Senthilingam, for CNN

Updated 1500 GMT (2300 HKT) July 7, 2015

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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.
Photos: Why a Western diet could be bad for you
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.
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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.
Photos: Why a Western diet could be bad for you
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.
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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.
Photos: Why a Western diet could be bad for you
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.
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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 />
Photos: Why a Western diet could be bad for you
Some studies have linked eating too much red meat with a shortened life span.
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