Is a Single Milkshake Really Bad For Your Health?

Some people assume that moderation is the key to good health. If you eat a dozen processed snacks per day, it will undoubtedly take a toll on your health. Eating one, however, usually mitigates the negative effects so that you can enjoy an otherwise not-so-healthy snack on occasion. But there's new evidence suggesting that milkshakes, even just one, can cause health issues.

According to a new study conducted by researchers from August University's Medical College of Georgia, consuming just a single high-fat snack, such as a milkshake, causes noticeable changes to the body's blood vessels and red blood cells.

For the study, researchers recruited 10 men and asked them to consume a milkshake made of full-fat milk and ice cream with a total fat content of approximately 80 grams and caloric content of 1,000 calories. After consuming the tasty dairy treat, researchers analyzed participants' health markets, paying close attention to their blood vessels. They discovered that participants' blood vessels weren't able to dilate as easily as they should and some of participants' red blood cells actually changed shaped, becoming more spiky instead of their natural smooth shape.

What does all this mean exactly? It means that high-fat snacks or meals, even just one, can affect your body's circulatory system, potentially increasing the risk of heart disease and other related problems. Researchers say these effects are temporary and typically subside within a few hours. But for people who consume high-fat snacks and meals on a regular basis, it could result in lingering effects that increase the risk of chronic disease and illness.

"Your red blood cells are normally nice and smooth and beautiful, and the cells, after consumption of a high-fat meal, get these spikes on them," said Julia Brittain, a professor of cell biology and anatomy at Augusta University's Medical College of Georgia.

If you're going to drink milkshakes, choose varieties with lower concentrations of saturated fat. A milkshake made with skim milk, for instance, will have significantly less fat than a traditional milkshake made of full fat or 2% fat milk. Avoiding unnecessary ingredients like chocolate syrup and cookies can also lower the fat content of milkshakes. Instead, choose natural and nutritious ingredients like fresh fruits. You can still enjoy an occasional milkshake as a tasty treat, but you must be conscious of what it's made of.