What makes chips dangerous and how to give them up## Translation of the provided text from Russian to English.

How chips poison our lives - and why we continue to eat them

Tempting crunch, affordable price, bright packaging, and a familiar taste from childhood - what could be wrong with one bag of chips? However, behind the attractive exterior lies a real threat to the body. Let's look, without unnecessary moralizing and complex terms, at what facts you should know about this popular snack that has turned into a slow attack on our health.

Empty inside, harmful outside

At first glance, the base of chips - ordinary potatoes - sounds harmless. The reality, however, is that the product is dominated by oil, salt, various additives, and flavor enhancers. Acrylamide poses a particular danger - a substance formed during high-temperature frying and officially recognized as a potential carcinogen. Simply put, this is not what your body's cells need.

Salt trap

One package of chips can contain up to half or even more of the daily recommended salt intake. Excessive salt consumption leads to swelling, increased blood pressure, and creates additional strain on the kidneys and cardiovascular system. The most unpleasant thing is that you don't even notice how you empty an entire package.

Fats - not the ones we need

Fried chips often contain trans fats that harm blood vessels, heart, and metabolism. These compounds tend to accumulate in the body and increase levels of "bad" cholesterol, laying the foundation for future health problems. And even "baked" versions of chips don't solve the problem - they use their own clever technological tricks.

Brain in the crosshairs

Flavor enhancers, especially monosodium glutamate, perform their task flawlessly - you cannot stop. The brain begins to perceive chips as something incredibly delicious, although the nutritional value of the product is zero. This is comparable to falling in love with someone who will certainly deceive you.

The crunch that causes addiction

It has been scientifically proven that not only the taste but also the process of crunching itself brings pleasure. This produces dopamine - the hormone of joy. The problem is that chips provide quick pleasure, while the harm accumulates gradually. The more often we "treat" ourselves to such snacks, the more difficult it becomes to give them up later.

Extra weight - hello

High calorie content with minimal nutrients, combined with the ease of consuming an entire package in minutes - the perfect formula for gaining extra pounds, especially if chips have become a regular component of your diet.

And now the main question - what to do

The most sensible approach is not a complete rejection of all pleasures, but mindful eating. If you want something crunchy, prepare thin slices of potato in the oven with a small amount of olive oil. Al