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The popular snack, Takis, have been all around school recently, and I’ve decided to dive deeper into them. Takis are enticing with their bright red colors and tortilla-like shape, which are sometimes rolled up to save size while in the bag. Although they are very popular and, for many, taste very good, they might be dangerous and cause health problems. Even though they’re processed in not perfectly sanitary factories, they’ve also been researched to cause things like severe gastrointestinal problems among children, according to scientific reports.
Takis are high in calories, fat, carbs, and sodium but lack other essential micronutrients.
A 1-ounce (28-gram) package of Takis Fuego contains the following nutrients (1Trusted Source):
Calories: 140
Protein: 2 grams
Fat: 8 grams
Carbs: 16 grams
Sodium: 16% of the Daily Value (DV)
Calcium: 4% of the DV
Iron: 2% of the DV
Although Takis contain some calcium and iron per serving, this amount is not considered significant.
Newspapers like the New York Times and Associated Press are reporting that poison control centers are warning people about the amount of spice in snacks like Takis because they “could cause trouble breathing, irregular heartbeats, and even strokes.”
This year, lawmakers of California attempted to ban these products in schools due to the harmful dyes that Takis contain. The movement followed the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment linking food dyes with hyperactivity and other neurobehavioral effects in some children.
Snacks like Takis contain dyes that might be harmful to the body and cause issues like hyperactivity, neurobehavioral defects, and even cancer. According to Leah, Alexander M.D., a medical expert, Takis contain a harmful amount of chili powder and other artificial spices which can lead to heartburn, stomach cramps, nausea, and even stomach lining irritation, caused by the spice and chili powder of the snack, and other problems with the stomach. One study showed that of 526 questionnaires among people with gastritis, over 25% reported that their symptoms were triggered by eating spicy foods. (NIH)
Still wanting to eat your Takis because of the immense, fierce flavor? There are still more health issues revolving this unhealthy, processed, and dyed snack.
Takis contain high sodium levels which can aggravate symptoms in children who are already prone to issues like gastrointestinal problems, which already happen when eating Takis for some children. Essentially, eating Takis already gives you health problems, but it also enhances the effects, causing even more problems.
There are a ton more issues when it comes to the dyes in Takis, too many to mention in one article. Takis can also cause health problems just because of the fact that they are highly processed and refined. Consuming Takis may be linked to a higher risk of heart disease, cancer, and type 2 diabetes.
“One recent review among 184,000 people found that those who consumed the highest amount of processed food were 39% more likely to have overweight or obesity… Plus, a study in 44,451 people showed that increased intake of processed foods was tied to a higher risk of death over an average of 7 years”
Are Spicy Takis Chips Bad for Your Health? (Healthline)
Like other salty snacks, Takis are high in sodium, packing a whopping 390 mg into each 1-ounce serving. High sodium consumption can cause further stomach and health problems like high blood pressure. Takis also come low in minerals and vitamins, and won’t offer almost any benefit health-wise. If you are eating chips for health purposes, a better option is Quest Protein Chips: (Click to VIew) .
In conclusion, Takis have been linked to a lot of health issues and stomach problems, and are highly processed. They come low in minerals and vitamins, and high in sodium and harmful dyes. In general, you should avoid having Takis. If you want them, only eat them upon occasion, or maybe try switching to other brands like Quest that have healthier alternatives with flavors like Chili Lime and Hot & Spicy while still being high in protein and minerals/vitamins.
Question:
Did reading this article change your mind about eating Takis?
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