Things Worth Noting
Regular McDonald’s consumption provides quick, tasty convenience but carries significant health effects due to menu items high in calories, sodium, trans fats, and added sugars, which can drive weight gain, elevate heart disease and diabetes risks, and disrupt gut microbiome balance through ultra-processed ingredients and preservatives. These foods also trigger dopamine rewards that encourage cravings […]
McDonald’s operates approximately 41,800 restaurants worldwide as of early 2026, spanning over 100 countries with the United States home to about 13,500 locations and strong growth in Asia-Pacific, including more than 5,500 in China alone. The company aims to reach 45,000 restaurants by 2030 through strategic expansions, digital innovations, and a resilient franchise model. For […]
McDonald’s is bringing back its popular Pokémon Happy Meal in 2026 to celebrate the franchise’s 30th anniversary, blending nostalgia with exciting Pokémon TCG features for fans of all ages. The partnership began in 2011 with Generation V toys and added trading cards in 2014, featuring Pikachu as a staple. Highlights include the 2021 25th anniversary’s […]
No, McDonald’s McRib does not contain real rib meat. The pork patty is made from ground pork—primarily shoulder meat—mixed with water, salt, dextrose, and rosemary extract, then molded into a rib-like shape for appearance. Official McDonald’s ingredients confirm it’s 100% pork with no actual ribs included. A class-action lawsuit filed in December 2025 accuses McDonald’s […]
Phthalates like DEHP, DBP, and BBP are toxic chemicals added to plastics to make them flexible. They leach from food packaging, wrappers, and PVC tubing into everyday foods, especially high-fat items like dairy, processed meats, and fast food. These hormone disruptors cause endocrine disruption, reproductive issues, developmental problems in kids, obesity, and heart disease risk. […]
Organic tallow fries, made from grass-fed cattle fat, are gaining popularity as a healthier alternative to fast food fries cooked in seed oils. Historically, fries were fried in tallow for crispiness, but concerns about saturated fats led to a shift to seed oils high in omega-6s, which can promote inflammation and chronic diseases like heart […]
Fast food and ultra-processed foods (UPFs) disrupt hunger hormones like ghrelin and leptin, making you feel hungrier and less satisfied, leading to overeating and weight gain. These hyperpalatable foods, high in additives and energy density, reduce satiety hormones PYY and GLP-1, while causing leptin resistance and elevated ghrelin. This hormonal imbalance, combined with a soft […]
Fast food and non-organic produce often lack nutrients due to heavy processing and soil depletion. Fast food, high in calories but low in vitamins, fiber, and minerals like Vitamin C, iron, and zinc, relies on ultra-processed ingredients with saturated fat, sodium, and sugar, spiking blood pressure and inflammation while promoting obesity. Non-organic foods, grown with […]
McDonald’s fries, made from Russet Burbank potatoes, are a fast food icon, but their “dark truth” involves controversial ingredients and health risks. Grown with pesticides like Monitor, potatoes are blanched with sodium acid pyrophosphate and pre-fried in vegetable oils (canola, corn, soybean) containing omega-6 fatty acids, linked to inflammation. Additives like TBHQ, dimethylpolysiloxane, and natural […]
Processed foods and beverages can contain fluoride, particularly if they are made with fluoridated water or if fluoride-containing ingredients are used. Eating a diet that is high in processed foods and beverages may contribute to excessive fluoride intake as well as other health problems. Long Answer Processed foods and beverages can contain fluoride, particularly if […]