Trans Fats

[ES13Raven]

So what's the deal with "Trans" Fats?

This seems to be the buzz word lately in health and nutrition.

Are they worse than Saturated Fats?

[ES13Raven]

Here are some answers:

What are trans fats?
Trans fats (or trans fatty acids) are created in an industrial process that adds hydrogen to liquid vegetable oils to make them more solid. Another name for trans fats is “partially hydrogenated oils." Look for them on the ingredient list on food packages.

Why do some companies use trans fats?
Companies like using trans fats in their foods because they’re easy to use, inexpensive to produce and last a long time. Trans fats give foods a desirable taste and texture. Many restaurants and fast-food outlets use trans fats to deep-fry foods because oils with trans fats can be used many times in commercial fryers.

How do trans fats affect my health?
Trans fats raise your bad (LDL) cholesterol levels and lower your good (HDL) cholesterol levels. Eating trans fats increases your risk of developing heart disease and stroke. It’s also associated with a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Why did trans fats become so popular if they have such bad health effects?
Before 1990, very little was known about how trans fat can harm your health. In the 1990s, research began identifying the adverse health effects of trans fats.

What foods contain trans fats?
Trans fats can be found in many foods – but especially in fried foods like French fries and doughnuts, and baked goods including pastries, pie crusts, biscuits, pizza dough, cookies, crackers, and stick margarines and shortenings. You can determine the amount of trans fats in a particular packaged food by looking at the Nutrition Facts label. You can also spot trans fats by reading ingredient lists and looking for the ingredients referred to as “partially hydrogenated oils.”

[Goin Ape Nutz]

^^ that pretty much sums it up.

alot of places that fry things are using oil with less trans fats (or 0 trans fats) in an attempt to make their food "healthier".

Trans fats are generally synthetically fatty acid chains produced and included in many products that are processed (packaged baked goods, cookies, margarine). Saturated fats are, in simple terms, an organic fatty acid chain found in stuff like meats, butter, milk and eggs. Now, just cause saturated fats are found in 'organic' sources, doesn't make it healthier. I could explain further but i'll let you do some research and find out for yourself if you are interested in the specific differences.

Trans fats and saturated fats should be avoided as much as possible (1% or less of your daily intake if possible). Unsaturated fats are the better fats for you (mono and poly), and should make the vast majority of your dietary fat intake.

[ES13Raven]

More:

Saturated Fats
These fats are derived from animal products such as meat, dairy and eggs. But they are also found in some plant-based sources such as coconut, palm and palm kernel oils. These fats are solid at room temperature. Saturated fats clog our arteries and directly raise total and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels. Avoid them as much as possible.

Trans Fats
Trans fats are actually unsaturated fats, but they can raise total and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels while also lowering HDL (good) cholesterol levels. Trans fats are used to extend the shelf life of processed foods, typically cookies, cakes, fries and donuts. Any item that contains “hydrogenated oil” or “partially hydrogenated oil” likely contains trans fats. Hydrogenation is the chemical process that changes liquid oils into solid fats. The tide is turning against trans fats. Since January 2006, all food manufacturers are required to list trans fat content on food labels.

[binx_19]

trans fats are bad

[SAHTT]

Notice they come from french fries and doughnuts, which you shouldn't be eating if you give a rat's ass about your health anyways.