Today I Learned (TIL)

Examples?

With my limited time, here are a few:

Magnitude and Timing of the Postprandial Inflammatory Response to a High-Fat Meal in Healthy Adults: A Systematic Review

The effect of high-protein diets on coronary blood flow

Higher ultra-processed food intake is associated with higher DNA damage in healthy adolescents

A single high-fat meal provokes pathological erythrocyte remodeling and increases myeloperoxidase levels: implications for acute coronary syndrome

There are countless other studies showing both positive and negative effects of food after consumption in both the short and long term.

None of the things you’ve listed are inherently bad effects. It all depends on the magnitude, duration/timing, and probably a bunch of other factors, and any negative needs too be weighed against the benefits of consuming that food.

Yes, there are healthy immune responses and damaging ones; healthy chemical release in the body, and damaging ones; good blood flow and harmful blood flow, etc.

Because diet is often not a one-and-done deal, most of the population is putting themselves in a chronic state of harm with every meal and snack.

For an athlete, they choose these foods only because they offer higher calories. Some can tolerate pure carbohydrates in the form of gels and liquids, but those can cause stomach upset. So, eating 20 pancakes drenched in syrup is a "perfect" meal for an ultra-distance runner, while it would be absolutely terrible for a non-athlete.

With food and diet, there is always nuance when it comes to risk/benefit. If athletes ate the way they do when they are training or actively competing as a regular thing, they'd live 10 years less! LOL